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II 


Wayfaring  men 


"  Thou  goest  thine,  and  I  go  mine, 
Many  ways  we  wend ; 
Many  days,  and  many  ways. 
Ending  in  one  end. 

"  Many  a  wrong,  and  its  curing  song ; 
Many  a  road,  and  many  an  inn  ; 
Room  to  roam,  but  only  one  home 
For  all  the  world  to  win." 

—George  MacDonald. 


Wayfaring  Men 


A  NOVEL 


BY 

EDNA  LYALL 

Author  of  "  Doreen,"  "  Donovan,"  "  We  Two," 
"To  Right  the  Wrong,"  etc.,  etc. 


"  Every  tnatCs  task  is  his  li/e-preserver.       The  conviction  that 

his  work  is  dear  to  Cod  and  cannot  be  spared,  defends  him  " 

— Emerson 


NEW  YORK 
LONGMANS,    GREEN,   AND    CO. 

LONDON   AND    BOMBAY 
1897 


Copyright,  1S96  and  1897,  by 
LONGMANS,    GREEN,  &  CO. 


All  rights  reserved 


PR 


WAYFARING  MEN 


CHAPTER  I 

"  So  is  detached,  so  left  all  by  itself, 

The  little  life,  the  fact  which  means  so  much. 
Shall  not  God  stoop  the  kindlier  to  His  work, 

*  *  *  *  * 

Now  that  the  hand  He  trusted  to  receive. 
And  hold  it,  lets  the  treasure  fall  perforce? 
The  better;  He  shall  have  in  orphanage 
His  own  way  all  the  clearlier." 

K.  Beowning. 

"  I  WONDER  what  will  become  of  Ealph  Denmead," 
said  Lady  Tresidder,  "it  is  one  of  the  saddest  cases  I 
ever  heard  of;  the  poor  boy  seems  to  be  left  without  a 
single  relation." 

"  Yes,"  said  Sir  John,  musingly.  "  Just  the  way  with 
these  old  decayed  families,  they  dwindle  slowly  away 
and  then  become  extinct.  There  was  no  spirit  or  energy 
in  poor  Denmead,  the  man  was  a  mere  hermit  and  knew 
nothing  of  the  world  or  he  wouldn't  have  made  such  a 
mull  of  his  affairs." 

"  Yet  Ealph  seems  to  have  the  energy  of  ten  people," 
said  Lady  Tresidder,  glancing  as  she  walked  at  the  river 
which  wound  its  peaceful  way  through  the  park  and  re- 
flected in  the  afternoon  light  the  early  spring  tints  of 
the  wooded  hank  on  its  further  side.  At  no  great  dis- 
tance a  boat  glided  swiftly  over  the  calm  water:  in  the 


1542719 


a  WAYFARING  MEN 

stern  sat  a  dark-haired,  handsome  girl  of  nineteen,  while 
the  vigorous  little  rower  seemed  to  be  not  more  than 
eleven. 

'*  Poor  little  chap,"  said  Sir  John,  "  he  is  terribly  cut 
up  about  his  father's  death,  I  wish  we  could  have  kept 
him  here  a  few  days  longer,  but  it's  better  that  he  should 
be  put  at  once  into  his  guardian's  hands.  There's  no 
fear  tliat  Sir  ]\[atthew  Mactavish  will  not  do  all  that's 
right  for  him,  if  only  for  the  sake  of  his  own  reputation." 

"  I  suppose  he  is  a  very  charitable  man,"  said  Lady 
Tresidder. 

"  Oh,  yes,  extremely  charitable,  and  very  well  thought 
of.  For  myself,  I  frankly  own  I  don't  like  the  way  in 
which  he  mixes  up  speculation  and  philanthropy,  and 
I'm  not  at  all  sure  that  he  was  always  a  good  adviser  to 
poor  Denmead.  But  he'll  be  kind  enough  to  Kalph  I've 
no  doubt.  The  boy  is  his  godson,  and  Denmead  was  one 
of  his  oldest  friends.  By  the  bye  he  was  to  be  at  the 
Rectory  by  five  o'clock,  and  the  boy  ought  to  be  there 
to  receive  him.  They  had  better  be  landing,  and  Mabel 
can  drive  him  to  Whinhaven  in  the  pony  chaise." 

He  began  to  make  vigorous  signals  to  the  occupants  of 
the  boat,  who  somewhat  reluctantly  came  ashore  and 
slowly  mounted  the  rising  ground  to  the  house. 

"  Come  in  and  have  some  tea  while  they  are  putting  in 
Panger,"  said  Lady  Tresidder,  kindly.  "  Sir  John  thinks 
you  ought  to  be  at  the  Rectory  when  your  guardian  ar- 
rives, and  Mab  will  like  a  drive  with  you." 

Ralph  grew  grave  at  the  thought  of  a  return  to  the 
desolate  Rectory  with  its  darkened  windows  and  awful 
stillness;  he  sighed  as  he  followed  comfortable  motherly 
Lady  Tresidder  into  the  drawing-room  where  flowers 
and  well-used  books  and  a  cosy  tea-table,  and  some 
needle  work,  just  put  aside,  gave  a  curiously  homelike 
air  to  the  whole  place. 

"  Come  and  sit  by  mc,"  said  his  hostess  in  that  friendly 


WAYFARING  MEN  3 

voice  which  more  than  anything  helped  him  to  forget 
his  troubles.  And  perhaps  it  was  the  thought  of  the 
hard  future  confronting  him  which  made  Lady  Tresidder 
glance  so  often  at  the  little  fellow  who  had  outgrown  the 
stage  for  petting,  and  who  in  spite  of  his  smallness  was 
really  thirteen,  innocent  and  ignorant  of  the  world,  and 
with  a  touch  of  the  chivalrous  gentleness  of  manner  that 
had  characterised  his  father,  but  in  other  respects  just  a 
high  spirited,  enthusiastic,  hungry  boy. 

His  honest  brown  eyes  gi-ew  less  wistful  as  he  waded 
blissfully  through  the  huge  slice  of  Buzzard  cake  with 
which  Mabel  had  provided  him,  but  he  found  the  good- 
byes hard  to  say,  all  the  harder  because  of  the  kindness 
he  received.  It  was  only  afterwards,  as  they  drove  up 
the  steep  hill  in  the  park,  and  turned  for  a  last  look  at 
the  river,  that  he  could  remember  without  a  choking  in 
his  throat,  Lady  Tresidder's  motherly  kiss,  and  Sir 
John's  kindly  farewell  and  cheery  words  about  future 
visits,  and  the  half  sovereign  with  which  he  had 
"  tipped  "  him. 

There  had  been  no  particular  reason  why  the  Tresid- 
ders  should  have  been  so  good  to  him.  Sir  John  was  not 
the  Squire  of  Whinhaven,  indeed  Westbrook  Hall  was  not 
even  in  his  father's  parish:  but  they  had  been  practically 
Ralph's  only  friends  ever  since  he  could  remember  and 
some  of  his  happiest  hours  had  been  spent  with  Mab, 
who  being  many  years  his  senior  and  a  country  girl  of 
the  best  sort,  had  been  able  to  teach  him  to  ride  and 
drive,  to  fish,  to  row,  and  to  care  for  animals  as  devotedly 
as  she  herself  did. 

Mab  had  a  frank,  hail  fellow  well  met  manner  which 
contrasted  rather  curiously  with  her  beautiful  womanly 
face  and  delicately  eliiselled  features;  the  world  in  gen- 
eral considered  her  somewhat  off-hand  and  brusque,  but 
she  had  in  her  the  makings  of  a  very  noble  woman,  and 
the  boy  owed  much  to  her  companionship.    They  were 


4  WAYFARING  MEN 

very  silent  as  they  drove  through  the  park,  but  it  was 
the  comfortable  silence  of  friends  who  have  perfect  con- 
fidence in  each  other.  Kalph  seemed  to  be  looking  with 
wistful  eyes  at  every  familiar  turn  of  the  road;  his  eyes 
rested  lingeringly  on  the  grey  walls  of  the  house  down 
below,  and  the  gleaming  silvery  river,  and  the  O'ld  haw- 
thorn bushes,  and  the  fine  old  chestnut  trees. 

"  Mab,"  he  said  at  length,  "  may  we  stop  for  a  minute, 
and  just  see  the  bullfinches?  Look,  there  is  one  of  them 
out  of  the  nest  and  trying  to  fly;  the  cat  will  get  hold 
of  it." 

"  Why,  to  be  sure,"  said  Mab.  "  Will  you  care  to  take 
it  with  you  to  London?  It  is  fledged  and  I  ffhink  you 
could  rear  it.    Would  you  like  it?  " 

"  Rather!  "  said  Ralph  emphatically.  "  And  I  have 
a  cage  at  home  that  would  do  for  it." 

So  the  young  bullfinch  was  carefully  placed  in  a  cov- 
ered basket,  and  half  an  hour  later  Mabel  Tresidder  put 
down  the  two  forlorn  young  things  at  the  door  of  Whin- 
haven  Rectory  wondering  how  they  would  prosper  in 
life. 

A  severe-looking  old  housekeeper  came  out  at  the 
sound  of  the  wheels. 

"  So  you've  come  back.  Master  Ralph,"  she  said  look- 
ing him  over  critically  to  see  that  he  was  clean  and  pre- 
sentable. "  That's  a  good  job,  for  Sir  Matthew  has  been 
here  ten  minutes  or  more,  and  the  lawyer  from  London 
with  him.  Are  you  coming  in,  Miss?"  she  added  glanc- 
ing with  no  great  favour  at  Miss  Tresidder,  and  calling  to 
mind  how  often  in  past  days  she  had  led  Ralph  through 
bush  and  through  brier  to  the  great  detriment  of  his 
clothes. 

"  No,  I  will  not  come  in,"  said  Mab,  "  and  this  is  not 
my  real  good-bye  to  you,  Ralph,  for  I  shall  stay  and 
speak  to  you  to-morrow  morning  after  the  service." 

She  waved  her  hand  to  him,  and  drove  swiftly  off, 


WAYFARING  MEN  5 

while  old  Mrs.  Grice  muttered  something  uncomplimen- 
tary about  "  new-fangled  "  ways,  and  not  liking  females 
at  a  funeral. 

Kalph,  meanwhile,  had  carefully  hidden  away  the  bas- 
ket containing  the  bullfinch,  and  now  stood  in  the  little 
hall  with  a  heavy  heart.  The  quiet  of  the  house  was 
terrible,  and  the  low  murmur  of  strange  voices  in  the 
study  accentuated  the  misery  and  desola:teness,  which 
seemed  to  grow  more  and  more  oppressive  every  moment. 

"  For  goodness  sake! "  exclaimed  old  Mrs.  Grice, 
"  don't  stand  there  staring  at  nothing,  like  a  tragedy 
actor,  but  go  in  and  make  yourself  agreeable  to  the  gen- 
tlemen; wait  a  bit,  wait  a  bit,  your  hair's  all  rumpled  up, 
not  seen  a  brush  since  the  morning,  I'll  be  bound." 

Ealpli,  made  meek  by  his  misery,  obediently  turned 
into  the  room  to  the  right  of  the  door,  his  own  special 
sanctum  where  he  had  worked  and  played  ever  since 
he  could  remember,  and  having  brushed  his  wavy  brown 
hair  into  a  state  of  immaculate  order  went  slowly  back 
once  more  to  the  silent  little  hall  which  was  not  even 
enlivened  now  by  the  presence  of  old  Mrs.  Grice.  Noth- 
ing was  to  be  heard  save  the  ticking  of  the  clock  and 
the  low  murmur  of  voices  from  the  adjoining  room, 
not  a  creature  was  there  to  take  compassion  on  the  shy 
desolate  boy.  He  looked  up  at  the  black  representation 
of  Lord  John  Harsick  and  Katharine  his  wife,  which 
hung  upon  the  wall  above  the  old  oak  chest,  and  the 
tears  started  to  his  eyes  as  he  remembered  how  he  had 
helped  his  father  to  mount  this  rubbing  from  a  brass, 
some  two  or  three  years  before.  The  stately  old  couple 
stood  there  holding  each  others'  hands,  he  fancied  that 
they  looked  down  on  him  with  a  sort  of  pity  because 
he  was  left  so  utterly  alone.  He  stood  hesitatingly  on 
the  threshold  of  the  study,  dreading  to  enter,  but  at 
length  impelled  to  move  by  a  worse  fear. 

"If  they  come  out  and  catch  me  here  they'll  think 


6  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

I'm  eavesdropping  ! "  he  thought  to  himself,  and  there- 
with ma  of  ally  turned  the  handle,  and  walked  in. 

The  study  was  in  reality  the  drawing-room  of  the  Eec- 
tory,  a  pretty  room  with  a  verandah  and  French  win- 
dows opening  on  to  it,  and  upon  one  side  of  the  fireplace 
there  was  a  cosy  little  recess  where  the  Kector  had  been 
wont  to  keep  his  choicest  flowers,  and  where  the  light 
from  a  little  western  window  fell  upon  the  marble  bust 
of  a  sweet-faced  woman — the  mother  whom  Ealph  could 
remember  just  in  a  vague  dreamy  fashion.  Seated  now 
at  his  father's  writing-table  was  an  old  gentleman  with 
a  kindly,  astute  face,  and  remarkably  thick  white  hair. 
Standing  with  his  back  to  the  fireplace  was  a  middle-aged 
man  whom  Ealph  at  once  recognised  from  the  photo- 
graphs he  had  seen  as  his  godfather.  Sir  Matthew  Mac- 
tavish.  He  looked  up  anxiously  into  the  shrewd  Scot- 
tish face,  with  its  reddish  hair  just  touched  with  grey, 
its  keen  steel-coloured  eyes,  its  somewhat  wrinkled  fore- 
head and  ready  smile.  It  was  a  powerful  and  an  attrac- 
tive face,  but  with  something  about  it  curiously  different 
to  the  faces  to  which  Ealph  had  been  accustomed;  the 
genial  country  squires,  and  the  country  parsons  had 
nothing  in  common  with  this  brisk,  managing  man  of 
the  world. 

"  Well,  my  boy,"  he  said  with  a  kindly  greeting,  "  I'm 
glad  to  see  you.  You'll  not  remember  me  for  you  were 
but  a  little  fellow  when  I  was  last  here.  Let  me  see,  they 
call  you  Eaphe,  don't  they?  " 

"  Not  Eaphe,  but  Ealph,"  said  the  boy,  and  into  his 
mind  there  darted  the  recollection  of  a  scene  that  had 
once  been  funny  but  now  seemed  pathetic,  of  a  discus- 
sion upon  his  name  between  his  father  and  two  old  an- 
tiquaries, and  of  how  one  of  them  had  patted  him  on  the 
head  with  the  gruff-voiced  injunction,  "  If  any  one  calls 
you  *  Eaphe  '  tell  him  he's  a  fool." 

It  was  impossible  to  call  such  a  man  as  Sir  Matthew 


WAYFARING  MEN  7 

a  fool,  and  the  boy  turned  to  greet  the  lawyer,  and  was 
surprised  to  iind  that  unlike  the  typical  solicitor  of  fic- 
tion he  was  a  very  noble  looking  man  of  the  old  school, 
gentle  and  courtly  in  manner,  and  evidently  under- 
standing how  embarrassing  the  interview  must  be  to  a 
lad  of  thirteen. 

"  Sit  down,  Ealph,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  motioning  him 
to  a  chair,  "  there  are  several  things  I  must  talk  to  you 
about." 

Ralph  obeyed,  not  without  a  curious  sensation  at  be- 
ing ordered  about  in  his  own  home  by  a  perfect  stranger. 
"  Mr.  Marriott  and  I,"  resumed  his  godfather,  "  have 
been  looking  into  your  father's  affairs  on  our  way  from 
London,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact  they  were  pretty  well 
known  to  me  before.  I  grieve  to  say,  my  boy,  that  he 
has  left  you  quite  unprovided  for." 

"I — I  knew,"  said  Ealph,  "that  father  had  lost  a  great 
deal  of  money  lately — it  was  through  some  company  that 
failed:  he  told  me  he  never  would  have  speculated,  but 
he  wanted  very  much  to  make  money  and  send  me  to 
Winchester  and  then  to  Oxford;  he  couldn't  do  that,  you 
know,  only  out  of  the  living.  But  he  blamed  himself 
for  having  done  it;  he  said  it  was  no  better  than  gam- 
bling." 

Sir  Matthew  had  paced  up  and  down  the  room  rest- 
lessly during  this  speech,  he  seemed  to  be  moved  by  it, 
and  it  was  the  lawyer  who  first  broke  the  silence.  "  You 
are  happy,"  he  said  to  Ealph,  "  in  having  the  memory 
of  a  father  who  was  just  enough  to  recognise  his  own 
mistakes,  and  noble  enough  to  confess  them.  Be  warned, 
my  boy,  and  never  in  the  future  dabble  in  specula- 
tion." 

Sir  Matthew  returned  to  his  former  position  onjthe 
hearthrug.  "In  the  meantime,"  he  said  with  displeas- 
ure in  his  tone,  "  his  more  useful  study  will  be  how  to 
live  in  the  present." 


8  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  That,"  said  Mr.  Marriott  gravely,  "  is  a  matter 
which  you,  Sir  Matthew,  will  no  doubt  help  him  to  con- 
sider." 

Ealph,  with  a  child's  quick  consciousness  that  some- 
thing lay  beneath  these  words  which  he  did  not  alto- 
gether understand,  glanced  from  one  to  the  other  in  some 
perplexity.  He  saw  that  Sir  Matthew  was  angry  with 
the  lawyer,  and  that  the  lawyer  disapproved  somehow  of 
Sir  Matthew. 

"I  wish  Mr.  Marriott  had  been  my  godfather,"  he 
thought  to  himself.  "  I  like  him  twice  as  well.  Sir 
Matthew  orders  one  about  as  though  he  bossed  the  whole 
world." 

And  then,  as  often  happens,  he  was  forced  to  modify 
his  rather  severe  criticism  of  his  godfather,  for  Sir  Mat- 
thew with  a  genuinely  kind  glance  drew  him  nearer, 
and  laying  a  hand  on  his  shoulder,  said  in  the  most 
genial  of  voices: 

"  Don't  you  be  afraid,  my  boy,  I'll  see  you  through 
your  trouble.  Leave  everything  to  me.  We'll  have  you 
a  Wykehamist  as  I  know  your  father  wished,  and  then 
make  a  parson  of  you,  eh?" 

"  Oh  no,  thank  you,"  said  Ralph,  "  I  couldn't  be  a 
clergyman,  I  don't  want  to  be  that  at  all." 

"  Eh!  What!  you  have  already  some  other  idea? 
Come  tell  me,  for  it's  a  real  help  to  know  what  a  boy's 
tastes  are." 

"  I  want  to  be  an  actor,"  said  Ralph  quietly. 

"What!"  cried  Sir  Matthew.  "Go  on  the  stage? 
Oh,  that's  just  a  passing  fancy.  No  gentleman  can  take 
up  play-acting  as  a  profession.  No,  no,  I  don't  send  you 
to  Winchester  to  fit  you  for  such  a  trumpery  calling  as 
thai  If  you'll  not  be  a  parson  what  do  you  say  to  try- 
ing for  the  Indian  Civil  Service?  I'm  much  mistaken  if 
you  have  not  very  good  abilities,  and  for  a  man  who  has 
to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world,  why  India  is  the  right 
place." 


WAYFARING  MEN  g 

"  I  should  like  to  go  to  India,"  said  Ralph,  thinking 
of  certain  tales  of  jungle  life  and  thrilling  adventures 
with  man-eating  tigers  that  he  had  lately  read. 

"Very  well,"  said  Sir  Matthew  briskly,  "that's  de- 
cided then.  To  Winchester  for  six  years,  then  a  choice 
of  the  Church  or  the  Indian  Civil  Service.  There's  your 
future  my  boy,  and  I  will  see  you  fairly  started  in  life 
whichever  line  you  choose.  To-morrow  you  shall  come 
back  with  me  to  London,  so  run  off  now  and  let  them 
get  your  things  together,  and  Mr.  Marriott  and  I  will 
make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  with  regard  to  your 
father's  effects." 

Not  sorry  to  be  dismissed,  Ealph  made  his  way  up- 
stairs, where  he  found  the  housekeeper  already  busy  with 
his  packing.  She  made  him  collect  what  few  possessions 
he  had,  two  or  three  pictures,  some  tools,  some  books 
and  a  toy  boat;  but  what  she  termed  "  the  rubbish,"  such 
as  bird's  eggs,  mosses,  fossils,  imperfect  models  of  en- 
gines, and  such  like,  she  entirely  declined  to  handle. 
"  The  rubbish  "  must  be  left,  and  Ealph  with  an  odd 
sinking  of  the  heart,  as  he  remembered  how  short  was 
the  time  remaining  to  him,  began  his  sad  round  of  fare- 
wells. He  stole  quietly  up  to  the  attic  from  which  the 
harbour  could  best  be  seen,  and  watched  the  stately 
ships  going  into  port.  Then  he  walked  through  the 
garden  with  lingering  steps;  he  had  worked  in  it  with 
his  father  so  long  and  so  happily  that  every  plant  was 
dear  to  him;  to  leave  it  just  now  in  this  May  weather, 
when  the  Gloire  de  Dijon  on  the  south  wall  was  covered 
with  exquisite  roses,  when  the  snapdragons,  which  as  a 
little  fellow  he  had  delighted  in  feeding  with  spoonfuls 
of  sugar  and  water,  were  just  coming  into  flower,  when 
the  bedding-out  plants,  wliieh  but  three  weeks  ago  they 
had  planted  were  actually  in  bloom — this  was  hard  in- 
deed! Could  it  be  only  three  weeks  since  that  half- 
holiday  when,  with  no  thought  of  coming  trouble,  they 
had  worked  so  merrily  together? 


lo  WAYFARING  MEN 

Passing  through  the  green  lauristinus  arch  he  paced 
slowly  on  between  the  strawberry-beds  now  white  with 
blossom.  That  Saturday  had  been  their  last  really  haj^py 
day,  for  the  next  morning's  post  had  brought  the  news 
of  his  father's  great  losses,  and  though  the  Sunday's  work 
had  been  struggled  through,  the  Eector  had  never  been 
the  same  again,  the  burdened  look  had  never  left  his  face. 

Ealph  thought  it  all  over  as  he  rested  his  arms  on  the 
little  iron  gate  leading  into  the  glebe,  his  eyes  wandering 
sadly  over  that  distant  view  which  he  had  always  loved, 
with  its  stretch  of  gorse  and  heather,  and  to  the  right 
the  beautiful  woods  of  Whinhaven  park,  just  now  in  the 
full  perfection  of  their  spring  tints.  Well,  it  was  all 
over  now,  and  the  place  was  to  pass  into  the  hands  of 
strangers,  and  somehow  he  must  get  through  his  good- 
byes. Making  his  way  to  the  stable,  he  flung  his  arms 
about  the  neck  of  old  Forester  the  pony,  choked  back 
a  sob  in  his  throat  as  he  unfastened  Skipper  the  Irish 
terrier,  and  picking  up  in  his  arms  a  scared-looking  white 
eat,  ran  at  full  speed  down  the  drive,  across  the  common, 
with  its  golden  gorse  and  dark  fir  trees,  until  he  reached 
the  coastguard  station.  Beneath  the  flag-staff,  with  a 
telescope  tucked  under  his  arm,  there  stood  a  cheery- 
looking  official  in  trim  reefer  and  gold-laced  cap.  It  was 
I^angston — the  head  of  the  coastguard  station,  and  one 
of  Ralph's  best  friends. 

"  I  have  come  to  say  good-bye,  for  to-morrow  I'm  go- 
ing to  London,"  said  the  boy  hurriedly.  "  And  I  want 
to  give  you  Skipper,  if  you  care  to  have  him.  He's  of  a 
\ery  good  breed,  father  said,  and  he's  an  awfully  friendly 
dog.  And  if  you  had  room  for  Toots  as  well  I  should 
be  awfully  obliged.  I  know  he's  not  worth  anything, 
and  ever  since  Benjamin  was  lost  Toots  has  been  sort  of 
queer,  always  mewing  and  roaming  about  looking  for 
him.  But  T  think  if  you  buttered  his  feet  he  would  stay, 
and  he's  a  real  good  mouser." 


WAYFARING  MEN  ii 

Langston  promised  to  adopt  both  dog  and  cat,  but  he 
would  not  allow  all  the  giving  to  be  on  one  side.  He 
went  into  his  house  and  returned  in  a  few  minutes  with 
a  little  pocket  compass. 

"  I'll  ask  you  to  accept  that,  Master  Ralph,"  he  said, 
as  he  gripped  the  boy's  hand  in  a  friendly  grasp.  "  You'll 
maybe  have  rough  times  in  life,  but  steer  well,  my  lad, 
steer  well,  and  be  the  man  your  father  would  have  had 
you." 

"  How  does  one  steer  if  one  doesn't  know  which  is  the 
right  way  to  go  ?  "  said  Ralph  with  a  sigh. 

"  Why  it's  then  that  you'll  hear  your  captain's  or- 
ders," said  the  coastguardsman.  "  Cheer  up.  Master 
Ralph,  it  don't  all  depend  on  the  man  at  the  wheel." 


CHAPTER  II 

"  111  is  that  ang-el  which  erst  fell  from  heaven, 
But  not  more  ill  than  he,  nor  in  worse  case, 
Who  hides  a  traitorous  mind  with  smiling  face, 
And  with  a  dove's  white  feather  masks  a  raven, 
Each  sin  some  colour  hath  it  to  adorn. 
Hypocrisy,  Almighty  God  doth  scorn." 

Wm.  Drummond,  1616. 

Dinner  proved  a  trying  meal  that  evening,  although 
Sir  Matthew  and  Mr.  Marriott  exerted  themselves  to 
talk,  and  were  both  of  them  very  kind  to  their  small 
companion.  Afterwards  they  adjourned  once  more  to 
the  study  where  for  the  sake  of  the  old  lawyer  a  fire 
had  been  lighted. 

"  The  nights  are  still  cold,"  he  said  drawing  a  chair 
towards  the  hearth,  and  warming  his  thin  white  hands; 
"  May  is  but  a  treacherous  month  in  spite  of  the  good 
things  the  poets  say  of  it.  I  understand  that  your 
father's  illness  was  caused  by  a  chill,"  he  added,  glanc- 
ing kindly  at  Ealph. 

"  He  caught  cold  one  night  when  they  sent  for  him 
down  in  the  village,"  said  Ealph,  tears  starting  to  his 
eyes.  "  He  was  called  up  at  two  o'clock  to  see  a  man 
who  was  dying;  there  was  an  east  wind,  he  said  it  seemed 
to  go  right  through  him.  But  then  you  know  he  had 
been  very  much  troubled  because  of  his  losses;  for  the 
last  ten  days  he  had  scarcely  eaten  anything,  and  had 
slept  badly." 

12 


WAYFARING  MEN  13 

Sir  Matthew  paced  the  room  restlessly,  but  when  he 
spoke  his  voice  was  bland  and  calm. 

"  A  noble  end!  "  he  said,  "  dying  in  harness  like  that; 
carrying  comfort  to  the  dying  and  then  lying  down 
upon  his  own  death-bed;  a  very  noble  end." 

Something  in  the  tone  of  this  speech  grated  on  Ealph, 
he  shrank  a  little  closer  to  the  lawyer. 

"  Why  do  I  hate  him  ?  "  thought  the  boy.  "  He's 
going  to  send  me  to  Winchester  with  his  own  money,  I 
ought  to  like  him,  but  I  can't — I  can't  !  " 

At  that  moment  old  Mrs.  Grice  appeared  at  the  door 
asking  to  speak  with  Mr.  Marriott.  He  followed  her  into 
the  hall  returning  in  a  minute  or  two  and  approaching 
Ealph. 

"  My  boy,"  he  said,  laying  a  kindly  hand  on  his  shoul- 
der, "  if  you  want  to  see  your  father's  face  again  it  must 
be  now." 

Together  they  went  up  the  dimly  lighted  staircase  to 
the  room  overhead,  Sir  Matthew  following  slowly  and 
with  reluctance,  a  strange  expression  lurking  about  the 
corners  of  his  mouth.  Many  thoughts  passed  through 
his  mind  as  he  stood  looking  down  upon  the  still  features 
of  his  dead  friend;  if  the  pale  lips  could  have  spoken 
he  well  knew  they  might  have  reproached  him;  and  yet 
it  was  less  painful  to  him  to  look  at  the  stern  face  of  the 
dead,  than  to  watch  the  grief  of  the  little  lad  as,  through 
fast  falling  tears  he  gazed  for  the  last  time  on  his  father's 
face.  It  was  a  relief  to  him  when  the  old  lawyer  drew 
the  boy  gently  away,  and  persuaded  him  to  return  to  the 
study  fire. 

"  I  will  be  good  to  his  son,"  thought  Sir  Matthew  as 
he  looked  once  more  at  the  silent  form.  "  I  will  make 
it  up  to  Ralph.  He  shall  have  the  education  his  father 
would  have  given  him.  And  then  he  must  shift  for  him- 
self, I  shall  have  done  my  duty,  and  he  must  sink  or 
swim.    The  very  sight  of  him  annoys  me,  but  it  will  be 


14  WAYFARING  MEN 

only  for  a  few  years,  and,  meantime,  I  must  put  up  with 
it." 

So  Ealph  for  the  last  time  slept  in  the  only  home  he 
had  ever  known,  and  woke  the  next  day  to  endure  as  best 
he  might  all  the  last  painful  ceremonies  through  which 
it  was  necessary  that  he  should  bear  his  part.  When  the 
funeral  was  over  he  left  Sir  John  Tresidder  to  talk  with 
the  lawyer  and  Sir  Matthew,  and  drew  Mab  away  into  a 
sheltered  nook  of  the  walled  kitchen  garden  where  stood 
a  rabbit-hutch. 

"  These  are  the  only  things  left,"  he  said,  mourn- 
fully. "  Should  you  care  to  have  them,  Mab  ?  I  should 
like  them  to  be  at  Westbrook  for  I  know  you  would  be 
good  to  them.  Eabbi  Ben  Ezra  is  the  best  rabbit  that 
ever  lived,  and  he'll  soon  get  to  care  for  you.  Sarah  Jane 
is  rather  dull,  but  I  suppose  he  likes  her,  and  she  doesn't 
eat  her  little  ones  or  do  anything  horrid  of  that  sort  like 
some  rabbits." 

"  I  will  take  no  end  of  care  of  them,"  said  Mab;  "  but 
it  seems  a  pity  that  you  should  leave  them.  Could  you 
not  take  them  with  you  ?  " 

"  If  I  were  going  to  live  with  Mr.  Marriott  I  wouldn't 
mind  asking  leave,"  said  Ealph,  "  but  there's  something 
about  Sir  Matthew — I  don't  know  what  it  is — but  one 
can't  ask  a  favour  of  him.  I'd  far  rather  give  up  the 
rabbits." 

"  Perhaps  you  are  right,"  said  Mab.  "  And  by  the 
bye  Ealph,  let  me  have  your  new  address,  you  are  to  live 
with  your  guardian  are  you  not?" 

"  They  say  Sir  Matthew  is  not  exactly  my  guardian. 
But  father's  will  was  made  many  years  ago  and  he  was 
named  as  sole  executor,  and  father  wrote  to  him  the  day 
before  he  died  asking  him  to  see  to  me.  Here  comes 
the  man  to  say  your  carriage  is  ready." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Mab.  "  And  tell  Mrs.  Grice  I  will 
send  over  for  the  rabbits.  Good-bye,  dear  old  boy. 
Don't  forget  us  all." 


WAYFARING  MEN  15 

She  stooped  down,  and  for  the  first  time  in  her  life 
Idssed  him,  and  Ralph  having  watched  at  the  gate  till 
the  carriage  was  out  of  sight,  suddenly  felt  a  horrible 
wave  of  desolation  sweep  over  him,  and  knew  that  he 
could  not  keep  up  one  minute  longer.  Running  down 
the  road  he  fled  through  the  churchyard  never  stopping 
till  he  found  himself  in  a  lovely  sheltered  fir  grove — his 
favourite  nook  in  the  whole  park;  and  here,  while  the 
nightingales,  and  the  cuckoos,  and  the  thrushes  sang 
joyously  overhead,  he  threw  himself  down  at  full  length 
on  the  slippery  pine  needles  that  covered  the  warm  dry 
ground,  and  sobbed  as  though  his  heart  would  break. 
They  had  always  called  this  particular  nook  the  "  Goodly 
Heritage,"  because  whenever  friends  had  been  brought 
to  see  it  they  had  always  said  to  the  Rector:  "  Ah,  Den- 
mead,  your  lines  are  fallen  in  pleasant  places."  Poor 
Ralph  felt  that  this  saying  was  no  longer  true,  he  thought 
that  the  pleasantness  had  forever  vanished  from  his  life, 
and  the  prospect  of  going  forth  into  the  world  dependent 
for  every  penny  upon  a  man  whom  he  vaguely  disliked 
was  almost  more  than  he  could  endure.  The  boy  had  a 
keenly  sensitive  artistic  temperament,  but  luckily  his 
father's  strenuous  endeavours  had  taught  him  self-con- 
trol; he  did  not  long  abandon  himself  to  that  passion  of 
grief  but  pulled  himself  together  and  began  to  pace 
slowly  through  the  grove  crushing  into  his  hand  as  he 
walked  a  rough  hard  fir-cone.  And  then  gradually  as 
he  breathed  the  soft  pine  scented  air,  and  watched  the 
sunbeams  streaking  with  light  the  dark  fir  trunks,  and 
glorifying  the  silvery  birch  trees  in  a  distant  glade 
which  sloped  steeply  down  to  a  little  murmuring  brook, 
he  realised  that  the  past  was  his  goodly  heritage,  his 
possession  of  which  no  man  could  rob  him,  and  in 
thankfulness  for  the  home  which  had  been  so  happy  for 
thirteen  years  he  set  his  face  bravely  towards  the  dark 
future. 

4:  *  :^  i]e  «  *  4: 


i6  WAYFARING  MEN 

"Waterloo,  first  single,  a  child's  ticket,"  said  Sir 
Matthew  Mactavish  entering  the  booking-ofBce  an  hour 
or  two  later. 

"  But  I  am  thirteen,"  said  Ealph  quickly. 

"  Then  he  must  have  a  whole  ticket,"  said  the  official, 
and  Sir  Matthew  frowned  but  was  obliged  to  comply. 

"  You  are  so  absurdly  small,"  he  said  glancing  with  an- 
noyance at  his  charge  as  they  passed  out  on  to  the  plat- 
form, "  you  might  very  well  have  passed  for  under 
twelve." 

Ealph  felt  hot  all  over,  partly  because  no  boy  likes 
to  be  told  that  he  is  small,  partly  because  he  was  angry 
at  being  reproved  for  not  standing  calmly  by  to  see  the 
railway  company  cheated.  How  could  it  be  that  a  man 
as  wealthy  as  Sir  Matthew  could  stoop  to  do  a  thing 
which  his  father  in  spite  of  narrow  means  would  never 
have  thought  of  doing?  He  could  as  soon  have  imag- 
ined him  stealing  goods  from  a  shop  as  attempting  to  de- 
fraud in  this  meaner,  because  less  risky,  fashion.  Hovv'- 
ever,  Mr.  Marriott  happily  diverted  his  thoughts  just 
then. 

"  Are  you  fond  of  Dickens?  "  he  said  kindly.  "  Have 
you  read  his  '  Tale  of  Two  Cities,'  or  his  '  Christmas 
Tales  ? ' " 

Ralph  had  read  neither,  and  was  soon  leaning  back  in 
his  comer  of  the  railway  carriage,  forgetful  of  all  his 
wretchedness,  cheered  and  fascinated,  amused  and  filled 
with  kind  thoughts  by  the  story  of  Scrooge,  and  Mar- 
ley's  ghost,  and  Tiny  Tim,  and  the  Christmas  turkey. 

It  was  with  a  pang  of  regret  that  he  bade  old  Mr.  Mar- 
riott farewell  when  they  reached  London,  and  illogically 
yet  naturally  enough  he  felt  far  more  grateful  for  the 
parting  sovereign  and  the  kindly  glance  which  the  lawyer 
bestowed  on  him,  than  for  his  adoption  by  Sir  Matthew. 
A  sense  of  utter  desolation  stole  over  him  as  Mr.  Mar- 
riott disappeared,  and  he  followed  his  guardian  into  a 


WAYFARING  MEN  17 

hansom  and  found  liimself  for  the  first  time  in  the  heart 
of  London.  To  his  country  eyes  the  crowded  thorough- 
fares, the  grim  houses,  the  bustle  and  confusion,  and  the 
sordid  misery  seemed  absolutely  hateful;  it  was  not  until 
they  happened  to  pass  a  theatre,  and  he  caught  sight  of 
the  name  of  a  well  known  actor  that  his  face  brightened 
and  his  tongue  was  unloosed. 

"  Oh  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  does  Washington  act  there  ? 
Is  that  his  own.  theatre  ?  " 

"  Yes,  to  be  sure,"  said  Sir  Matthew;  "  you  shall  go 
some  night  and  see  him." 

"  Oh,  thank  you! "  said  Ealph  rapturously;  "  how 
awfully  good  of  you.  Father  took  me  once  to  hear  him  at 
Southampton,  he  was  playing  in  '  The  Bells '  one  Sat- 
urday afternoon.  It  was  splendid;  there  was  the  dream 
you  know,  you  saw  it  all  before  you.  He  dreamt  of  the 
court  of  justice,  and  all  the  time  it  was  his  own  con- 
science that  was  killing  him,  and  his  remorse  for  having 
murdered  the  traveller  in  the  sleigh.  I  thought  I  should 
have  choked  at  the  end  when  he  believed  they  were 
hanging  him;  he  just  says,  you  know,  in  a  sort  of  gasj), 
'  Take  the  rope  off  my  neck! '  and  then  he  falls  back 
dead,  and  the  play  ends.  It  felt  so  jolly  to  get  out  of 
the  dark  theatre  into  the  street,  and  to  find  the  sun 
shining,  and  everything  as  jolly  as  usual,  and  to  know 
that  all  that  dreadful  misery  wasn't  really  true." 

"  Not  true?  "  said  Sir  Matthew  reflectively.  "  H'm!  " 
He  looked  with  a  sort  of  envy  at  the  boy's  clear  inno- 
cent eyes,  then  he  turned  away;  whether  he  were  absorbed 
in  his  own  thoughts  or  in  the  observation  of  the  dingy 
crowd,  it  would  have  been  hard  to  say. 

They  paused  at  a  house  in  Bow  Street  where  he  had  to 
make  some  inquirj-,  and  Ralph  fell  into  a  happy  dream 
about  his  latest  hero  the  great  actor,  returning  with 
a  pang  to  the  uncomfortable  present  when  the  hansom 
at  length  drew  up  at  a  house  in  Queen  Anne's  Gate. 


i8  WAYFARING  MEN 

Feoliug  very  small  and  desolate  he  followed  his  guardian 
up  the  broad  steps  and  into  the  imposing  entrance  hall. 

"  Wipe  your  shoes,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  in  his  brisk 
authoritative  tone. 

Ralph  obediently  complied,  and  saw  somewhat  to  his 
amusement  that  the  same  command  was  jirinted  in  large 
black  letters  on  the  mat. 

"  When  I  have  a  house  of  my  own,"  he  reflected, 
"  there  shall  be  a  doormat  with  SALVE  on  it.  Then  the 
chaps  will  know  I'm  awfully  glad  to  see  them,  and  that 
I'm  not  thinking  first  of  my  carpets." 

Sir  Matthew,  meantime,  had  been  talking  to  a  grey- 
headed butler;  Ealph  only  caught  the  closing  remark: 
"  And  let  someone  show  Master  Denmead  up  to  the 
school-room." 

The  butler  looked  at  the  small  lonely  boy  in  his  black 
suit.  "  Fraulein  and  Miss  Evereld  are  out,  sir,"  he  re- 
plied unwilling  to  send  this  sad-faced  little  lad  into  the 
utter  solitude  of  the  upper  regions. 

"  Oh,  very  well,  then  you  had  better  come  with  me, 
Ralph,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  and  he  led  the  way  upstairs. 
The  boy  glanced  nervously  round  as  they  entered.  This 
was  not  one  of  the  homelike,  comfortable,  used  drawing- 
rooms  such  as  he  had  grown  to  love  at  Westbrook  Hall, 
but  a  great  saloon  upholstered  in  the  best  style  of  a  well- 
known  firm,  and  as  lacking  in  soul  and  individuality  as 
a  Parisian  doll. 

There  were  several  people  present.  Lady  Mactavish 
a  peevish-looking  woman  with  small  suspicious  blue 
eyes  and  a  ncn^ous  manner,  shook  hands  with  him  and 
looked  him  over  in  a  dissatisfied  way  as  though  mentally 
reflecting  what  in  the  world  she  was  to  do  with  him. 

"  Janet,"  she  called  turning  to  her  elder  daughter, 
"  this  is  poor  Mr.  Denmead's  son." 

Janet,  a  somewhat  sharp-featured  clever-looking  girl 
of  four-and-twenty,  came  up  and  shook  hands  with  him. 


WAYFARING  MEN  19 

but  her  cold  light  eyes  beneath  the  fringe  of  red  hair, 
looked  to  him  unfriendly.  She  just  passed  him  on  to 
her  younger  sister  who  was  enjoying  a  comfortable  little 
flirtation  at  the  other  side  of  the  room  with  a  middle- 
aged  officer. 

"  This  is  Ralph  Denmead,  Minnie,"  she  said,  return- 
ing to  her  former  ])lace,  and  resuming  the  interrupted 
conversation  with  a  lady  caller. 

Minnie,  who  was  also  redhaired,  had  a  more  friendly 
expression,  she  smiled  at  him  as  she  shook  hands. 

"  Fraulein  has  taken  Evereld  to  her  French  class,  but 
they  will  soon  be  home,  and  then  they  will  look  after 
you,"  she  said,  motioning  him  to  a  chair  at  some  little 
distance  from  herself  and  the  Major.  It  was  a  modern 
imitation  of  an  antique  chair,  very  hard  in  the  seat,  very 
high  from  the  ground,  and  with  rich  carving  all  over 
the  back  which  made  any  sort  of  comfort  impossible. 
As  he  sat  on  it  with  his  legs  uncomfortably  dangling, 
he  saw  the  lady  who  was  talking  to  Janet  put  up  her  long- 
handled  eye-glass,  and  inspect  him  critically  as  if  he  had 
been  some  strange  animal  at  the  Zoological  Gardens. 
However  small  schoolboys  were  not  interesting,  she  soon 
put  down  the  eye-glass  and  turned  to  Miss  Mactavish  with 
a  question  which  arrested  Ralph's  attention. 

"  By  the  bye,  have  you  read  '  The  Marriage  of  Me- 
lissa' ?  It  is  the  book  of  the  season,  you  must  get  it  my 
dear  at  once,  everyone  is  talking  of  it,  and  it  is  an  open 
secret  that  Sir  Algernon  'Wyte  and  Mrs.  Hereward  Lyne 
wrote  it,  though  of  course  it  appeared  anonymously." 

"  What  is  it  ?    A  society  novel  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  such  a  plot!  There's  a  tremendous  run 
upon  it  they  say,  and  wherever  you  go  you  hear  people 
discussing  it." 

Then  followed  a  graphic  account  of  the  chief  char- 
acters, and  the  most  difficult  situations;  it  was  a  plot 
which  made  the  boy's  ears  tingle.    He  wriggled  round 


20  WAYFARING  MEN 

in  liis  chair  and  tried  to  become  interested  in  the  vapid 
talk  of  ]\lajor  Gillot  and  Minnie,  it  was  doubtless  very- 
interesting  to  them,  but  to  him  it  seemed  the  most  in- 
sane interchange  of  bantering  compliments  and  teasing 
replies  that  he  had  ever  heard.  Was  tliis  love  making? 
he  wondered.  If  so,  they  did  it  much  better  in  books. 
It  was  not  in  this  fashion  that  Frank  Osbaldistone  wooed 
Di  Vernon,  or  that  John  Eidd  made  love  to  Lorna  Doone. 

He  looked  wearily  across  to  the  hearthrug  where  Sir 
Matthew  was  shouting  unintelligible  jargon  about  the 
money  market  into  the  ear  of  a  deaf  old  Scotsman;  then 
in  desperation  tried  to  listen  to  Lady  Mactavish's  grum- 
bling voice  as  she  related  her  difficulties  to  a  soothing 
and  sympathetic  friend. 

"  You  are  always  burdening  yourself  with  other  peo- 
ple's affairs,"  said  the  purring  voice  of  the  adept  in 
flattery. 

"  Well,"  said  Lady  Mactavish,  "  you  sec  my  husband 
is  one  of  those  men  who  inspire  confidence.  They  all 
turn  to  him  naturally.  And  I  do  assure  you  he  has  a 
perfect  passion  for  adopting  children.  There's  this  boy 
to-day.  To-morrow  it  will  be  some  other  sad  case.  A 
little  while  ago  it  was  Evereld  Ewart,  poor  Sir  Kichard 
Ewart's  little  girl.  You  must  see  her  by  and  bye.  Yes, 
we  have  taken  her  in  and  her  nurse  and  her  German 
governess.  It's  been  a  very  great  anxiety  to  me,  a  great 
responsibility,  though  I  make  no  complaint  of  the  child. 
Still  one  likes  to  have  one's  house  to  oneself." 

"  And  dear  Sir  Matthew,"  remarked  the  friend,  "  is 
fast  turning  it  into  an  orphan  asylum.  But  there  it's 
just  like  him!  so  noble-minded!  So  ready  to  give  and 
glad  to  distribute! " 

There  came  a  little  interlude  with  the  tea.  Ralph 
handed  about  cups  and  hot  scones  which  looked  very 
tempting  he  thought.  But  there  was  no  cup  for  him; 
evidently  boys  of  his  age  were  not  supposed  to  feed  in 


WAYFARING  MEN  21 

the  drawing-room.  He  returned  to  the  mock  antique 
chair  with  its  bony  back  and  thought  wistfully  of  the 
drawing-room  at  Westbrook  Hall,  and  wondered  whether 
Mab  was  at  this  very  moment  finishing  that  particularly 
good  Buzzard  cake  to  which  she  had  so  lavishly  helped 
him  yesterday.  At  lunch  he  had  been  too  miserable  to 
eat,  but  now  he  was  ravenous,  and  to  be  at  once  hungry 
and  lonely  and  unhappy  was  a  sensation  he  had  never 
before  experienced.  How  was  he  to  bear  this  detestable 
new  life?  How  was  he  to  take  root  in  this  uncongenial 
soil  ? 

His  dismal  reverie  was  interrupted  by  Lady  Mactav- 
ish's  voice:  "  Just  ring  the  bell,  Ealph.  By  this  time  she 
must  surely  be  in."  Then  as  the  butler  appeared,  the 
welcome  news  came  that  Miss  Evereld  was  at  that  mo- 
ment on  the  stairs.  Orders  were  given  that  she  should 
come  in  at  once. 

Kalph  looked  eagerly  towards  the  open  door,  and 
watched  the  entrance  of  a  little  girl  who  was  apparently 
about  a  year  or  two  younger  than  himself.  She  was 
dressed  in  a  short  black  frock  trimmed  with  crape,  but 
nothing  else  about  her  was  mournful,  her  nut-brown  hair 
seemed  full  of  golden  sunbeams,  her  rosy  face  was 
dimpled  and  smiling;  she  seemed  neither  shy  nor  for- 
ward, but  stood  patiently  listening  to  the  remarks  of 
Lady  Mactavish,  and  old  Lady  Mountpleasant,  as  long 
as  was  necessary,  then  having  received  a  warm  greeting 
from  Sir  Matthew,  who  appeared  to  be  genuinely  fond 
of  her,  she  caught  sight  of  Ealph  and  crossing  the  room 
shook  hands  with  him  in  an  eager  friendly  way.  The  tide 
of  general  conversation  rolled  on,  but  the  two  children 
stood  silently  looking  at  each  other  for  a  minute  or  two. 
At  last  Evereld  had  a  happy  intuition. 

"  Are  3'-ou  not  hungry?  "  she  said. 

"  Yes,  starving,"  said  Ealph,  with  a  pathetic  glance  at 
the  scones. 


22  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  It's  no  good,"  said  Evereld,  noting  the  look.  "  "We 
never  have  anything  down  here,  but  we'll  try  and  slip 
away  quietly.  No  one  really  wants  us  you  see.  And 
I'll  beg  Bridget  to  make  us  some  hot  buttered  toast.  She 
is  the  dearest  old  thing  in  the  world." 

"  Does  she  live  here  ? "  said  Ralph,  as  though  he 
doubted  whether  anything  superlatively  good  would  be 
found  beneath  Sir  Matthew's  roof. 

"  She  is  my  nurse,"  said  Evereld.  "  We  came  from 
India  you  know  last  February.  Her  husband  was  a 
soldier  but  he  died,  and  then  she  came  to  be  our  servant. 
Look,  some  more  callers  arc  coming  in,  now  is  our  time 
to  slip  out." 

Ealph  gladly  followed  the  little  girl  as  she  glided  dex- 
terously from  the  room,  and  it  was  with  a  sense  of  min- 
gled triumph  and  relief  that  they  found  themselves  out- 
side on  the  staircase. 

"  Fraulein  Ellerbeck  and  I  have  been  talking  all  day 
about  your  coming,"  said  Evereld,  as  they  toiled  up  to 
the  top  of  the  house.  "  The  telegram  only  came  at  break- 
fast." 

"  They  must  all  have  thought  it  an  awful  bore  to  have 
me,"  said  Ealph,  remembering  Lady  Mactavish's  prefer- 
ence for  having  her  house  to  herself. 

"  We  schoolroom  people  didn't  think  it  a  bore,"  said 
Evereld,  gaily.  "  You  can't  think  how  dull  it  is  to  have 
no  one  to  play  with.  I  could  hardly  do  my  French  this 
afternoon  for  wondering  about  you,  and  once  when  the 
master  asked  me  something  about  the  difference  between 
connaitre  and  savoir,  I  said,  by  mistake,  '  Ralph  Den- 
mead.'  It  was  dreadful!  Everyone  laughed."  She 
laughed  herself  at  the  remembrance.  "  But,  you  see,  I 
had  been  thinking  how  well  we  should  get  to  know  each 
other." 

A  comforting  sense  of  comradeship  crept  into  Ralph's 
sore  heart;  he  forgot  his  troubles  for  a  while  as  he  looked 


WAYFARING   MEN  23 

at  the  merry  face  beside  him.  It  was  what  he  would 
have  called  an  "awfully  jolly"  little  face,  with  soft 
curves  and  a  dainty  little  mouth  and  chin,  a  rounded 
forehead  from  which  the  hair  was  unfashionably  thrown 
back,  and  a  pair  of  clear  blue  eyes  that  made  him  tliink 
of  speedwell  blossoms. 

Evereld  led  him  in  triumph  to  the  schoolroom  to  in- 
troduce him  to  her  governess,  and  Miss  Ellerbeck's  warm 
German  greeting,  so  unlike  the  chilly  reception  he  had 
met  with  in  the  drawing-room,  at  once  set  him  at  his 
ease.  Bridget,  too,  accorded  him  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
brought  in  enough  toast  even  to  satisfy  a  hungry  school- 
boy. She  was  a  motherly  person,  with  one  of  those  rather 
melancholy  dark  faces  of  almost  Spanish  outline  which 
one  meets  with  among  the  Mayo  peasants.  But  not  all 
her  wanderings  or  her  troubles  as  a  soldier's  wife  and 
widow  had  robbed  her  of  that  delicious  quaint  humour 
which  brightens  many  a  desolate  Irish  cabin,  and  which 
brightened  some  parts  of  this  great  desolate  London 
house. 


CHAPTER  III 

"  I  do  not  love  thee,  Dr.  Fell, 
The  reason  why  I  cannot  tell ; 
But  this  alone  I  know  full  well, 
I  do  not  love  thee,  Dr.  Fell." 

Precisely  why  the  house  seemed  to  him  so  dreary 
Ralph  would  have  found  it  hard  to  say.  It  did  not 
usually  strike  people  as  anything  but  a  model  English 
home.  Something  had,  however,  given  the  boy  a  clue, 
and  already  he  vaguely  guessed,  what  no  one  else  sus- 
pected, that  there  was  a  skeleton  in  the  cupboard. 
Little  enough  had  fallen  from  his  father's  lips  during 
those  last  days,  yet  Ralph  had  gathered  an  impression 
that  in  some  way  Sir  Matthew  was  connected  with  that 
disastrous  speculation  which  had  ruined  his  father.  He 
was  far  too  young  and  ignorant  to  understand  the  mat- 
ter, and  even  had  he  been  sure  that  Mr.  Marriott  knew 
all  the  facts  he  could  not  have  asked  the  old  lawyer  to 
explain  things  to  him,  for  was  not  Sir  Matthew  his  god- 
father ?  a  godfather,  moreover,  who  had  generously  un- 
dertaken to  provide  for  him  till  he  was  grown  up?  He 
was  ashamed  of  himself  for  not  being  able  to  feel  more 
grateful,  but  that  vague  dislike  and  distrust  which  he  had 
felt  during  their  first  talk  at  Whinhaven  Rectory,  only 
grew  stronger  each  hour. 

When  the  last  guest  had  departed,  Sir  Matthew  was 
beset  by  eager  questions. 

"Why  did  you  adopt  that  horrid  little  schoolboy, 

24 


WAYFARING  MEN  25 

papa?  '*  said  Janet,  reproachfully.  "  You  are  far  too 
generous." 

"  My  dear,  you  forget;  he  is  my  godson,  and  I  couldn't 
leave  him  without  a  helping  hand.  His  father  entrusted 
him  to  me." 

"  They  arc  all  ready  to  sponge  upon  you,  papa,"  said 
Minnie.  "  A  reputation  for  generosity  is  a  terrible 
thing." 

"  For  a  man's  daughters,  eh  ?  "  he  said,  laughingly. 
"  Well,  my  dear,  I  don't  want  you  to  be  troubled  in  the 
least.  The  boy  will  be  going  to  Winchester  in  September, 
and  we  shall  only  have  him  in  the  holida3's.  As  for  little 
Evereld,  we  shall  not  be  keeping  her  after  her  first  season 
unless  I'm  much  mistaken." 

"  It's  true  she  is  an  heiress,"  said  Lady  ]\Iactavish, 
critically,  "  but  I  doubt  if  she  will  make  a  very  stylish 
girl.  And  she's  far  too  conscientious  to  get  on  well  in 
society." 

"  Well,  well,  we  shall  see,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  easily. 
"  Already  she  has  one  fervent  admirer.  Bruce  Wylic 
makes  himself  a  perfect  fool  about  the  child." 

"  He's  old  enough  to  be  her  father,"  said  Janet. 

"  But  she  couldn't  have  a  better  husband,"  said  Sir 
Matthew,  in  the  voice  that  meant  that  no  more  was  to 
be  said.  "  Nothing  would  give  me  greater  satisfaction 
than  to  see  poor  Ewart's  daughter  safely  under  the  pro- 
tection of  a  man  like  Wylie,  before  the  heiress-hunters 
have  had  time  to  torment  her." 

"  You  remember  that  he  dines  with  us  this  evening  ?  " 
said  Lady  Mactavish. 

"  Yes,  to  be  sure;  let  me  have  a  list  of  the  guests.  And, 
my  dear,  remind  me  that  I  promised  Lady  Mountpleas- 
ant  to  open  the  bazaar  for  the  Decayed  Gentlefolk's  Aid 
Society  at  the  Albert  Hall  next  month." 

"  We  are  no  sooner  off  with  one  bazaar  than  we  are  on 
■with  another,"  protested  Minnie.  "  Bazaars  seem  to  me 
the  curse  of  the  age." 


26  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Blessings  in  disguise,  my  dear,"  replied  her  father, 
with  a  smile.  "  The  days  of  simple  humdrum  giving  are 
over,  and  nowadays,  with  great  wisdom,  we  kill  two  or 
more  birds  with  one  stone.  To  my  mind,  the  bazaar  is 
a  most  useful  institution,  and  I  should  be  sorry  to  see 
it  abandoned." 

"  Ah,  you  would  ruin  yourself  with  giving,  if  I  al- 
lowed you  to  do  it,"  said  Lady  Mactavish,  glancing  up 
at  him  with  an  air  of  pride  and  admiration  which  for 
the  moment  made  her  hard  face  beautiful. 

The  words  touched  him,  and  as  he  left  the  room  he 
stooped  and  kissed  her  forehead.  Yet,  on  the  way  down 
to  his  library,  an  odd  sarcastic  smile  played  about  his 
lips,  and  he  thought  to  himself,  "  They  have  yet  to  learn 
that,  had  St.  Paul  been  a  man  of  the  world,  he  would 
have  added  a  postscript  to  his  famous  chapter,  and  said, 
*  For  charity  is  the  best  policy.'  " 

In  the  meanwhile  the  schoolroom  party  were  snugly 
ensconced  in  the  window-seat  overlooking  St.  James's 
Park.  Ralph  had  been  cheered  by  the  sight  of  a  regiment 
of  Horse  Guards,  and  Miss  Ellerbeck  had  been  beguiled 
into  telling  them  stories  of  the  Franco-Prussian  War 
and  of  her  brother's  adventures  during  the  campaign. 
By  and  bye,  as  the  evening  advanced,  they  were  inter- 
rupted by  the  appearance  of  old  Geraghty  the  butler. 

"  Sir  Matthew  would  like  you  to  be  in  the  drawing- 
room  before  dinner,  Miss  Evereld,"  he  said,  "  and  I  was 
to  say  there  was  no  need  for  the  young  gentleman  to  come 
down.  Maybe  he's  tired  after  the  journey,"  concluded 
the  Irishman,  adding  these  polite  words  of  his  own  ac- 
cord, for  Sir  Matthew  had  curtly  remarked,  "  Not  Mas- 
ter Denmead,  you  understand." 

"  That  means  that  Mr.  Bruce  Wyhe  is  coming! " 
cried  Evereld,  joyously.  "  He's  such  a  nice  man,  and  he 
always  brings  me  chocolate — real  French  chocolate.  I 
never  go  down  unless  Mr.  Wylie  is  there.    You'll  like 


WAYFARING  MEN  27 

him,  Failph;  he  has  such  nice  kind  eyes,  and  such  a  soft 
voice." 

"  Well,  you  must  run  and  dress,  my  child,"  said  Miss 
Ellerbeck;  "  and  I,  too,  must  be  wishing  you  both  good- 
night, for  I  go,  as  you  remember,  with  a  friend  to  the 
Eichter  concert.  We  will  light  the  gas  for  you,  Ealph, 
and  then  you  must,  for  a  short  time,  make  yourself  hap- 
py with  your  Charles  Dickens.  Evereld  will  soon  come 
back  to  you." 

She  bade  him  a  kind  good-night,  and  Ralph  took  up 
"  The  Cricket  on  the  Hearth  "  and  tried  to  read.  But  it 
would  not  do;  the  book  had  ceased  to  appeal  to  him.  He 
threw  it  down,  lowered  the  gas,  and  returned  to  the  open 
window,  leaning  his  arms  on  the  sill  and  looking  down 
through  the  bars  at  the  dim  road  beneath,  with  its  end- 
less succession  of  cabs  and  carriages.  For  a  little  while  it 
amused  him  to  count  the  red  and  yellow  lamps  as  they 
flitted  by,  but  soon  his  sorrow  overwhelmed  him  once 
more.  It  was  the  first  time  he  had  been  alone  since  that 
morning  hour  in  the  fir-grove  at  Whinhaven,  and  now 
once  more  all  the  misery  of  his  loss  forced  itself  upon 
him.  He  was  well  fed,  well  housed,  and  his  immediate 
future  was  provided  for,  yet,  perhaps,  in  all  London, 
there  was  not  at  tha-t  moment  a  more  desolate  little  fel- 
low. To  be  violently  plucked  up  by  the  roots  and  for 
ever  banished  from  that  goodly  heritage  that  had  so  far 
been  his,  was  in  itself  hard  enough;  but  to  belong  to  no 
one  in  particular,  to  be  planted  down  and  expected  to 
grow  and  thrive  among  loveless  strangers  seemed  intol- 
erable, and  no  ambitious  dreams  of  a  future  in  India 
came  now  to  his  help!  He  saw  nothing  before  him  but 
an  endless  vista  of  this  same  pain  and  aching  loss.  To- 
morrow would  be  as  to-day,  and  all  real  happiness  had, 
he  fancied,  gone  from  him  for  ever.  There  is  nothing 
quite  so  poignant  as  a  child's  first  great  grief,  though 
mercifully,  like  all  acute  pain,  it  cannot  last  long. 


28  WAYFARING  MEN 

The  passing  lights  down  below  had  long  ceased  to  in- 
terest him,  but  presently  through  his  tears  he  happened 
to  notice  the  pointers  and  the  Pole  Star,  and  found  a  sort 
of  comfort  in  what  had  for  so  long  been  familiar.  At 
any  rate  the  same  sky  was  over  Whinhaven  and  London, 
and  the  motto  which  he  could  remember  puzzling  over  in 
liis  childhood,  illuminated  in  one  of  the  Rectory  rooms, 
returned  now  to  his  mind — "  Astra  castra,  Numen  lu- 
men." It  was  true  that  the  stars  were  his  canopy,  but 
was  God  his  light  ?  Had  He  not  plunged  his  whole  life 
in  darkness,  and  set  him  far  away  from  love  and  help 
and  all  that  could  keep  a  boy  straight? 

The  Westminster  chimes  rang  out  just  then  into  the 
night  air,  startling  him  back  from  his  perplexed  wonder- 
ing. Ralph  was  not  of  the  temperament  that  is  liable  to 
doubt.  He  took  lifo  very  simply,  and  it  would  have  been 
almost  impossible  seriously  to  disturb  the  faith  into 
which  he  had  grown  up;  the  wave  of  wretched  question- 
ing passed,  and  he  knew  in  his  heart  that  just  as  over  the 
great  city  with  its  debates  and  crimes,  its  sorrows  and 
struggles,  the  bells  ring  out  their  message,  so  heavenly 
voices  are  ringing  through  the  consciences  of  men,  guid- 
ing, controlling,  influencing  all.  Had  not  his  father  al- 
ways said  it  was  mere  miserable  cowardice  to  believe  that 
darkness  would  triumph  over  light,  that  selfish  competi- 
tion would  in  the  end  conquer?  Love  was  to  be  the 
victor.  Love  was  to  rule.  And  the  great  deep  bell  as  it 
boomed  out  the  hour  seemed  to  his  fancy  to  ring — 
"  Love!  Love!  Love! "  over  the  restless  crowd  of 
hearers. 

In  the  meantime,  however,  his  heart  was  still  aching 
with  the  loss  of  the  man  who  had  been  friend  and  com- 
panion, teacher  and  father  in  one.  Surely  since  God 
loved  him  He  would  send  some  one  to  comfort  him  ? 
Some  one  whose  voice  he  could  hear,  whose  hand  he  could 
grasp.    For  after  all  it  was  the  outward  tokens  of  love 


WAYFARING  MEN  29 

and  comfort  that  he  craved,  as  all  beings  of  a  threefold 
nature  must  crave  them.  A  spiritual  love  could  not  as 
yet  suffice  him. 

Now  as  Ralph  leant  on  the  window-sill  crying  quietly, 
much  as  a  soldier  slowly  bleeds  on  a  battlefield  because 
there  is  no  one  to  staunch  his  wound,  the  schoolroom 
door  opened.  He  had  expected  some  one  to  be  sent  to 
his  great  need,  but  had  pictured  to  himself  a  man.  He 
glanced  round  into  the  dim  room  and  started  when  he 
saw,  instead,  only  a  little  white-robed  figure. 

"  Of  course,"  he  thought  to  himself  in  his  disappoint- 
ment, "  I  ought  to  have  known.  It  is  only  Evereld  come 
back." 

"  Oh,  it's  you,"  he  said,  with  profound  dejection  in  his 
voice. 

"  Are  you  all  in  the  dark  ?  "  said  Evereld. 

"  I've  been  looking  at  the  carriage  lamps,"  he  replied, 
evasively. 

Evereld  made  no  comment,  she  knew  quite  well  that 
he  had  been  crying,  and  a  great  shyness  stole  over  her — 
a  terror  of  not  being  able  to  reach  him,  and  yet  a  con- 
suming desire  somehow  to  comfort  him.  She  remem- 
bered that  in  her  own  grief  grown-up  people  had  always 
tried  to  soothe  her  with  the  adjuration,  "  Don't  cry, 
darling."  She  had  never  found  any  comfort  in  the 
words,  and  of  course  they  would  vex  a  boy.  Dick  would 
have  hated  them. 

"  Do  you  know,"  she  said  suddenly,  "  in  some  ways 
you  do  so  remind  me  of  Dick." 

"  Who  is  he  ?  "  asked  Ealph,  still  in  the  dejected  voice. 

"  Dick  is  my  brother,"  said  Evereld.  "  He  died  last 
winter.  There  was  an  outbreak  of  cholera.  On  the 
Thursday  father  and  mother  died,  on  the  Friday  Dick 
and  I  were  taken  ill,  and  when  I  got  better  they  told  me 
he  was  gone.  I  was  the  only  one  left."  Her  voice  quiv- 
ered a  little.    She  ended  abruptly. 


30  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Oh  !  "  cried  Ealph,  like  one  in  pain,  and  instinctively 
he  caught  her  hand  in  his  and  held  it  fast.  There  was 
a  silence.  It  seemed  as  if  they  did  not  need  words  just 
then. 

Ealph  had  not  found  the  strong  man  of  his  dreams;  he 
had  found  instead  a  little  girl  with  griefs  greater  than 
his  own,  and  he  felt  a  longing  to  comfort  her  and  care  for 
her,  and  as  far  as  possible  to  be  to  her  what  Dick  would 
have  been. 

"  Was  he  older  than  I  am  ?  "  was  his  first  question. 

"  He  was  thirteen,"  said  Evereld.  "  His  birthday  was 
in  last  September — on  the  15th." 

"  And  I  was  thirteen  in  September,  too, — on  the  9th," 
said  Ealph. 

"  Only  a  week  between  you — how  strange  ! "  said 
Evereld.  "  And  about  soldiers  he  was  just  like  you. 
When  you  rushed  to  the  window  this  afternoon  and  saw 
all  the  little  details  about  the  Horse  Guards'  uniforms, 
that  I  never  much  noticed  before,  you  made  me  think 
of  Dick  directly.  He  was  crazy  about  uniforms,  and 
Bridget  used  to  make  them  for  him.  We'll  get  her  to 
make  you  one." 

"  Do  you  think  she  would  ?  "  said  Ralph,  forgetting 
his  troubles.  "  We  could  act  all  sorts  of  tilings  then, 
you  know.    Do  you  like  acting  ?  " 

"  I  love  the  drcssing-up  part,"  said  Evereld,  "  I  don't 
much  care  about  the  talking,  Dick  used  to  do  most  of 
that." 

"  I'll  do  that  part,"  said  Ealph  blithely,  for  although 
shy  and  reserved  with  his  elders,  he  was  never  at  a  loss 
for  words  in  a  charade,  and  the  two  instantly  fell  to  dis- 
cussing future  plans,  forgetting  every  grief  and  care  in 
the  bliss  of  perfect  companionship. 

"  Let  us  come  down  now,"  said  Evereld,  presently. 
"  Geraghty  promised  to  bring  us  whatever  we  liked. 
We'll  sit  on  the  lowest  flight  of  stairs,  you  know,  and 


WAYFARING  MEN  3' 

he'll  help  us  as  the  dishes  come  out  of  the  dining-room. 
It's  such  fun.  I  always  do  it  when  there's  a  dinner- 
party." 

Ralph  consented  willingly  enough,  and  found  some- 
thing cheering  in  the  general  air  of  excitement  that  per- 
vaded the  house.  They  sat  cosily  on  the  rich  stair  carpet 
with  its  soft  Eastern  colouring,  a  funny  little  pair,  he 
in  his  deep  black,  she  in  her  white  Indian  muslin,  watch- 
ing the  servants  as  they  hurried  to  and  fro,  and  enjoying 
what  Evereld  termed  "that  nice  sort  of  late-dinner 
smell." 

"  But  it  makes  one  awfully  hungry,"  said  Ealph,  and 
the  good-natured  Geraghty,  catching  the  words,  mur- 
mured a  comforting  assurance  as  he  passed  by,  "  I'm 
coming  to  you  directly,  sir,"  and  in  a  minute  or  two  with 
a  beaming  face  he  reappeared  with  two  delicious  oyster 
patties. 

"  How  clever  you  are,  Geraghty,"  said  the  little  girl. 
"  You  always  know  just  what  wdll  be  nicest." 

Whether  Geraghty  had  much  regard  for  their  powers 
of  digestion  may  be  doubted,  but  he  took  a  rare  delight 
in  tempting  them  with  every  delicacy,  from  prawns  in 
aspic,  to  that  curious  dish  called  "  Angels  on  horseback." 

Ealph  was  half  w^ay  through  a  huge  helping  of  ice 
pudding  when  a  momentary  pang  of  doubt  and  reproach 
seized  him.  Ought  he  to  be  feasting  on  the  very  day  of 
his  father's  funeral  ?  Evereld  saw  the  change  in  his  face, 
and  helped  by  what  she  had  lately  lived  through,  was  able 
to  read  his  thoughts.  "  Dick  will  be  so  glad  that  I've  got 
you,"  she  said,  smiling,  though  Ealph  fancied  there  were 
tears  in  her  eyes.  "  I  somehow  think  that  your  father 
and  mine  will  be  talking  together  to-night." 

And  those  few  comfortable  words  were  more  to  the 
boy  than  any  number  of  sermons  on  the  resurrection; 
all  his  vague  beliefs  were  freshened  into  living  parts  of 
his  everyday  existence,  and  for  the  first  time  he  knew  for 


32  WAYFARING  MEN 

himself  what  had  been  to  him  hitherto  merely  things 
that  others  told  him. 

A  sudden  lull  in  the  roar  of  voices  from  the  dining- 
room  now  took  place,  after  which  the  Bahel  of  many 
tongues  rose  once  more.  "  They  are  just  beginning  des- 
sert," said  Evereld.  "  That  was  grace,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  the  ladies  will  be  coming  upstairs.  I  think  we 
had  better  go  to  bed  now." 

So  they  parted,  after  having  arranged  that  in  the  walk- 
ing hour  on  the  next  morning,  they  would  go  together 
and  sail  Ralph's  little  schooner  in  St.  James'  Park. 


CHAPTER  IV 

"  Of  my  grief  (guess  the  length  of  the  sword  by  the  sheath's) ; 
By  the  silence  of  life,  more  pathetic  than  death's  I 
Go — be  clear  of  that  day." 

E.  Barrett  Browning. 

The  Park  seemed  dull  and  well-nigh  deserted  when, 
at  about  ten  o'clock  on  the  following  day,  Fraulein  Eller- 
beck  and  the  two  children  made  their  way  to  the  water's 
edge.  Fraulein  said  she  would  establish  herself  on  a 
seat  in  a  sheltered  nook  not  far  off,  and  the  children 
carried  her  book  and  her  knitting-bag  for  her,  chatting 
as  they  walked.  Pacing  slowly  towards  them  was  a  fig- 
ure which  somehow  arrested  their  attention. 

"  Why,"  said  Evereld,  lowering  her  voice,  "  it  is  surely 
the  man  we  saw  as  Benedick,  last  March,  Fraulein.  It's 
Hugh  Macneillie,  the  actor." 

Ralph  looked  curiously  and  with  great  interest  at  a 
member  of  the  profession  which  had  such  charms  for 
him. 

Macneillie  was  a  man  of  about  seven  and  thirty,  with 
chestnut-brown  hair,  strongly  marked  features,  and  a 
muscular,  well-knit  figure.  About  his  clean-shaven  face 
there  was  an  air  of  profound  gravity  which  surprised 
Ralph,  who  could  not  conceive  how  a  man  capable  of 
acting  Benedick,  and  noted  for  his  subtle  sense  of  hu- 
mour, could  wear  such  an  anxious  and  melancholy  ex- 
pression. He  glanced  at  them  with  dreamy,  absent  eyes 
and  paced  slowly  by, 

33 


34  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

Yet  the  little  group  had  not  been  altogether  lost  on 
Hugh  Macneillie  in  spite  of  the  unseeing  look  in  his  eyes. 
He  had  carried  away  a  curiously  vivid  impression  of  the 
two  children,  their  black  garments  and  their  fresh  young 
faces.  He  gave  an  impatient  sigh,  and  paced  on  with 
quicker  steps,  yet  'turned  again  to  walk  by  the  side  of 
the  water,  every  now  and  then  glancing  at  his  watch  with 
an  'air  of  vexation.  He  had  been  waiting  there  for  a 
good  hour,  and  he  was  in  a  mood  which  made  waiting 
specially  irksome. 

"  I  will  give  her  till  half  past  ten,"  he  thought  to 
himself,  and  walked  doggedly  on,  his  face  growing  more 
and  more  haggard  as  the  time  passed  by.  At  last  the 
Westminster  chimes  rang  out  the  half  hour;  he  me- 
chanically took  out  his  watch  again  to  verify  the  time, 
and  setting  his  teeth  hard  turned  to  go. 

At  that  moment  there  suddenly  appeared,  walking 
towards  him,  a  very  beautiful  woman.  It  was  difficult 
to  say  precisely  in  what  her  great  charm  lay.  Her  every 
movement  was  full  of  grace,  and  although  she  was 
dressed  with  scrupulous  quietness — ^indeed  with  a  sim- 
plicity that  was  almost  severe, — no  one  could  have  passed 
her  by  without  a  lingering  glance.  Her  complexion  was 
pale  but  very  fair,  her  hair  was  like  spun  gold,  contrast- 
ing curiously  with  the  brown,  deep-set  eyes;  and  though 
the  mouth  was  a  little  too  wide  and  betrayed  a  not  over 
strong  character,  both  face  and  manner  were  full  of  that 
indescribable  fascination  which  carries  all  before  it. 

Macneillie,  though  he  met  her  in  the  company  of  other 
people  every  day  of  his  life,  though  he  had  known  her 
for  at  least  ton  years,  went  to  meet  her  now  with  his 
heart  throbbing  painfully.  She  gave  him  a  charming 
little  greeting,  'and  apologised  prettily  for  being  so  un- 
punctual. 

"It  is  Elizabeth's  fault,"  she  said,  glancing  at  the 
maid  who  accompanied  her.    "  She  allowed  me  to  over- 


WAYFARING   MEN  35 

sleep  myself.  You  can  wait  for  me  on  that  bench  Eliza- 
beth, I  shall  not  be  long." 

The  maid  walked  back  to  the  seat  where  Fraulein  El- 
lerbeck  sat  with  her  knitting,  and  Macneillie,  who  had 
scarcely  spoken  a  word  as  yet,  broke  the  silence  as  they 
paced  on  together.  "  I  had  almost  given  you  up,"  he 
said,  a  world  of  repressed  impatience  in  his  tone. 

"  That's  the  wisest  thing  I  ever  heard  you  say,  Hugh," 
she  replied  lightly,  though  with  a  secret  effort.  "But 
you  must  go  further.  It  must  be  not  only  almost,  but 
altogether." 

"  Don't  let  us  talk  in  parables,"  said  Macneillie,  pas- 
sionately. "  You  can't  compare  an  hour's  waiting  in  a 
park  with  ten  years  waiting  through  the  best  part  of  a 
man's  life." 

A  look  of  pain  flashed  across  her  face:  there  was  re- 
morse and  tenderness  in  her  voice  as  she  replied.  But 
there  was  not  the  love  he  had  once  heard  there,  and  he 
knew  it  well  enough. 

"Poor  Hugh!"  she  said,  "I  have  treated  you  very 
badly.  But  how  am  I  to  help  myself.  We  have  waited 
for  each  other,  as  you  say,  these  ten  years,  but  you  know 
well  enough  that  my  father  and  mother  will  never  con- 
sent. They  have  made  up  their  minds  that  I  shall  make 
a  very  different  marriage." 

"  In  other  words,"  said  Macneillie  between  his  teeth, 
"  they  have  made  up  their  minds  to  sell  you  to  the  high- 
est bidder." 

"  No,  no,  you  are  so  exaggerated,  Hugh.  Every  one 
can't  look  at  the  matter  as  you  with  your  religious  edu- 
cation in  the  Highlands  look  at  it.  Marriage  is,  after  all, 
an  arrangement  affecting  many  people  and  interests. 
We  are  not  living  in  a  romance  but  in  the  prosaic  nine- 
teenth century.  And  I  must  not  just  please  myself.  I 
must  think  of  what  will  best  help  on  my  career;  my  first 
duty  is  undoubtedly  to  help  and  to  please  my  parents 
who  have  done  so  much  for  me." 


36  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  You  didn't  think  so  ten  years  ago,"  said  Macneillie. 

"  Ten  years  ago  I  was  a  foolish  girl  of  seventeen.  You 
had  been  very  good  to  me  when  the  year  before  I  had 
been  taken  straight  from  school  and  set  down  alone  and 
friendless  in  a  travelling  company.  It  was  natural 
enough  that  I  should  love  you  then,  Hugh — ^you  who 
shielded  me  and  helped  me." 

"  But  later  on,"  said  Macneillie,  clenching  his  hands, 
"  when  you  no  longer  were  lonely  and  friendless,  when 
fame  had  come  to  you  and  all  the  world  was  at  your  feet, 
you  very  naturally  needed  me  no  longer,  and  your  love 
died.  Mine  was  never  that  sort  of  love — ^it  will  always 
live." 

Christine  Greville  looked  down  with  troubled  face. 
Ambition  and  the  importunities  of  her  parents  had  for 
the  time  stifled  her  love.  She  felt  cold  and  hard.  His 
passionate  constancy  annoyed  her.  "  I  wish,"  she  said 
plaintively,  "  you  would  not  speak  like  that,  Hugh.  I 
hate  to  think  that  I  have  pained  you,  or  spoiled  your 
life;  but  what  am  I  to  do?    What  am  I  to  do?  " 

He  turned  to  her  eagerly. 

"  Be  true  to  your  best  self,  Christine.  Trust  the  man 
who  loved  you  long  before  this  Sir  Eoderick  Fenchurch 
had  ever  seen  you.  I'm  not  blind!  I  can  see  the  advan- 
tages you  might  gain  by  marrying  him!  You  would 
be  very  rich.  You  could  have  your  own  theatre,  you 
would  leap  at  once  to  a  much  higher  position.  But  do 
you  dream  that  such  a  marriage  would  be  happy?  Why, 
you  have  hardly  a  taste  in  common,  and  he  is  old  enough 
to  be  your  father." 

"  Oh,  as  to  happiness,"  she  said,  impatiently,  "  I  have 
long  ceased  to  expect  that.  Don't  think  rae  brutal  if  I 
speak  plainly.  I  have  had  your  love  all  these  years,  and 
it  has  not  made  me  really  happy.  And  if  I  married  you, 
Hugh,  I  should  not  be  happy  at  all.  You  are  much  too 
good  for  me,  your  standard  of  life  is  far  too  high.    You 


WAYFARING  MEN  37 

would  not  be  able  to  draw  me  up,  and  I  should  be  always 
longing  to  drag  you  down  to  my  level.  It  would  be  a 
life  of  perpetual  strain  and  tension." 

"  No,  no,"  he  cried  passionately,  and  as  he  spoke  he 
caught  her  hand  in  his  as  though  he  felt  that  she  was 
slipping  from  him.  "  Together,  darling,  we  should  be 
happy,  we  should  be  strong  to  work  for  art's  sake  and  for 
truth's  sake — strong  to  fight  all  that  is  evil." 

They  had  paused,  and  were  standing  now  beside  the 
railing  that  fenced  off  the  grass  and  bushes,  and  within 
a  stone's  throw  of  Kalph  and  Evereld;  half  unconsciously 
Macneillie  watched  the  progress  of  the  toy  boat  as  the 
soft  summer  wind  filled  its  white  sails.  At  a  little  dis- 
tance the  ducks  swam  about  the  wooded  island,  and  in 
the  golden  haze  Queen  Anne's  Mansions  loomed  up  im- 
pressively like  some  great  fortress. 

"  But  I  don't  want  to  toil  and  to  struggle  like  that," 
said  his  companion,  petulantly.  "  Every  word  you  say 
only  proves  to  me  how  far  we  have  drifted  apart,  Hugh. 
You  have  a  sort  of  ideal  of  me  in  your  mind  not  in  the 
least  like  the  true  Christine.  I  tell  you  I  am  tired  of  all 
your  ideals  and  aims  and  dreams  of  raising  the  drama. 
That  is  not  what  I  care  for.  I  care  for  success  and  ap- 
plause— yes  I  do,  don't  interrupt  me.  I  care  for  them, 
and  I  must  have  them.  And  I  want  a  better  position, 
and  I  want  much,  much  more  money.  I  want  other 
things,  too,  which  you  can  never  give  me.  You'll  never 
be  a  rich  man,  Hugh,  it's  somehow  not  in  you;  you'll 
never  push  your  way  to  the  very  front  of  the  profession. 
But  I  must  do  that,  nothing  but  the  very  first  place  will 
satisfy  me.    I  have  ten  times  your  ambition." 

"  By  that  sin  fell  the  angels,"  said  Macneillie. 

"  Don't  quote  Shakspere,  we  have  enough  of  him 
every  evening,"  she  said,  forcing  a  laugh.  "  And  for  me, 
I  am  not  an  angel  as  you  very  well  know.  Come,  let  us 
make  an  end  of  this  useless  talk.    My  father  is  at  this 


38  WAYFARING  MEN 

moment  discussing  settlements  with  Sir  Eoderiek,  and 
in  a  day  or  two  all  the  world  will  know  that  the  marriage 
is  arranged." 

Maeneillie's  lips  moved  but  no  words  would  come — he 
breathed  hard. 

"  Don't  look  like  that,  Hugh,"  she  exclaimed.  "  We 
shall  often  see  each  other;  we  shall  be  the  best  of  friends; 
and  when  I  have  my  own  theatre,  why  you  shall  be  the 
first  to  find  a  place  in  the  company." 

A  look  of  hot  anger  flashed  across  Maeneillie's  haggard 
face. 

"  Do  you  think  I  would  accept  such  a  post?  "  he  said, 
indignantly.  "  For  what  do  you  take  me?  "  Then,  his 
tone  softening  to  tender  reproach,  "  You  don't  under- 
stand a  man's  love — you  don't  understand!  " 

"Perhaps  I  don't  understand  it,"  she  said,  looking 
rather  nettled;  "  but  I  have  met  plenty  of  men  who  were 
dying  for  love  of  me  one  month  and  raving  about  some 
one  else  the  next.  There,  I  must  go  home.  Talking 
only  makes  matters  worse.  Go  and  take  a  good  walk, 
Hugh,  or  you  will  act  abominably  to-night.  Au  revoir  !  " 

She  beckoned  to  her  maid  and  turned  away  abruptly, 
anxious  to  put  an  end  to  an  interview  which  had  been 
trying  to  both  of  th^m.  Her  face  was  grave  and  down- 
cast as  she  walked,  and  more  than  once  she  sighed  heav- 
ily. She  had  never  been  formally  betrothed  to  Mae- 
neillie,  but  there  had  been  a  private  engagement  be- 
tween them,  and  she  had  spoken  quite  truly  when  she 
said  that  his  care  during  her  girlhood  had  shielded  her 
from  many  perils.  Her  love  for  him  had  been  very  real; 
she  had  struggled  long  against  the  opposition  of  her 
parents,  but  at  last  her  strength  had  failed,  and  little 
by  little  she  had  yielded  to  the  influence  which  by  de- 
grees had  paralysed  her  powers  of  loving. 

"Poor  Hugh,"  she  thought  to  herself,  remorsefully. 
"  He  is  terribly  cut  up.    But  I  was  never  good  enough 


WAYFARING  MEN  39 

for  liijii.  Sir  Roderick  and  the  low  level  will  suit  me 
much  better." 

After  he  was  left  alone,  Macneillie  did  not  move  for 
some  minutes.  He  Just  leant  on  the  iron  fence  with 
clenched  hands  and  set  face,  despair  in  his  heart.  The 
voices  of  the  two  children  to  the  right  fell  on  his  ear, 
mingling  strangely  with  his  miserable  thoughts. 

"  I  shall  lose  her!  I  shall  lose  her! "  cried  the  boy 
in  a  tragic  voice. 

"  How  came  you  to  let  go  of  the  string?  "  asked  his 
small  companion. 

"  I  had  forgotten  all  about  it;  I  was  thinking  of  those 
people.  Hurrah!  the  wind  is  shifting;  she  is  coming 
nearer.    I  do  believe  I  could  reach  her  with  my  stick." 

Macneillie  watched  the  boy's  strenuous  efforts  to  re- 
capture the  tiny  craft,  which  seemed  almost  within  his 
reach,  yet  somehow  always  eluded  him.  Suddenly,  at 
the  very  moment  when  his  stick  had  touched  the  boat, 
he  lost  his  balance  and  fell  headlong  over  the  low  foot- 
rail  into  the  water. 

Macneillie  had  hurried  to  the  rescue  before  Evereld's 
cry  of  terror  had  reached  Fraulein  Ellerbeck.  He  lifted 
out  the  dripping  boy  and  laid  him  on  the  path,  and 
Ealph,  recovering  from  the  shock  and  rubbing  his  wet 
eyelashes,  looked  up  to  find  a  grave  face  bending  over 
him  and  to  meet  the  inquiry  of  the  kindest  blue-grey  eyes 
he  had  ever  seen. 

"  None  the  worse  for  your  bath,  I  hope?  "  said  Mac- 
neillie, smiling  a  little. 

"No,  thank  you,"  said  Ealph,  struggling  to  his  feet 
and  looking  very  much  like  Johnnie  Head-in-air  when 
"  with  hooks  the  two  strong  men  hooked  poor  Johnnie 
out  again."  "  It  was  awfully  good  of  you  to  help  me," 
he  added,  gratefully. 

"And  now  let  us  rescue  the  boat,"  said  Macneillie, 
winning  golden  opinions  from  the  children  by  the  real 


40  WAYFARING  MEN 

pains  he  took  to  capture  the  Jiob  Roy,  and  the  same 
from  Fraulein  Ellerbeck  by  his  courteous  farewell. 

'*'  So  few  Englishmen,"  she  remarked,  "  know  how  to 
bow.    You  must  take  a  lesson  from  him,  Ealph." 

"And,  oh,  Fraulein,"  said  Evereld,  as  they  walked 
briskly  home,  that  Ealph  might  change  his  clothes,  "  did 
you  see  what  a  long  time  Miss  Christine  Greville  stayed 
talking  to  him?  xVnd  part  of  the  time  they  were  quite 
close  to  us,  and  we  heard  her  say  that  soon  every  one 
would  know  she  was  t?o  be  married — I  think,  to  some 
very  rich  man — and  she  would  have  a  theatre  of  her  own, 
and  Mr.  Macneillie  should  act  there." 

"  You  should  not  have  listened,  my  dears,"  said  Frau- 
lein Ellerbeck,  uneasily. 

"  But,  indeed,  Fraulein,  we  couldn't  help  it;  her  voice 
was  so  very,  very  clear,  it  reached  us  every  word  just 
like  raindrops  pattering  on  leaves." 

"  And  so  did  his  voice  too,"  said  Ralph.  "  He  seemed 
quite  angry  when  she  said  that.  He  said  he  would  never 
accept  such  a  post,  and  that  she  didn't  a  bit  understand 
how  he  loved  her." 

"  "Well,  well,"  said  Fraulein,  "  let  us  say  no  more  about 
it  now;  and  be  sure  you  never  repeat  what  you  acciden- 
tally overheard.  It  may  be  a  secret  from  people  in  gen- 
eral, and  it  would  be  more  honourable  if  you  treated  it  as 
a  secret." 

The  children  promised  that  they  would  do  so,  but, 
like  the  celebrated  parrot,  though  they  said  nothing, 
they  thought  the  more,  and  Macneillie  became  their 
great  hero.  Through  him  they  had  both  received  their 
first  glimpse  into  the  unknown  region  where  men  and 
women  loved  and  suffered;  and,  since  they  both  were 
missing  the  familiar  home  life  and  the  close  companion- 
ship of  parents,  they  seized  eagerly  on  this  new  outlet 
for  certain  feelings  of  reverence  and  hero-worship  which 
they  both  possessed. 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  41 

Could  the  actor  have  known  what  sympathy  and  de- 
votion these  two  felt  for  him,  or  how  real  was  their  child- 
ish love  and  admiration,  he  would  have  felt,  even  at  that 
bitter  time  in  his  life,  a  touch  of  amused  gratitude  and 
wonder.  Wholly  unknown  to  himself  he  was  filling  the 
minds  of  two  somewhat  desolate  little  mortals,  bright- 
ening their  tedious  days,  and  drawing  them  out  of  them- 
selves and  their  own  troubles. 

Often,  in  after  years,  they  would  laugh  to  think  what 
pleasure  they  had  found  in  running  downstairs  before 
the  breakfast  gong  had  sounded,  that  they  might  get 
possession  of  the  Times  and  see  the  announcement  of 
"  Hamlet,"  in  which  Macneillie  was  appearing.  And 
one  morning  it  chanced  that  their  two  smiling  faces 
were  still  bent  over  the  paper  when  Sir  Matthew  came 
into  the  room, 

"  Well,"  he  said,  kindly,  "  what  good  news  have  you 
found?" 

For  once  Ralph  forgot  the  shy  stiffness  of  manner 
which  usually  crept  over  him  at  his  guardian's  approach. 

"  Oh,"  he  said,  in  an  eager  boyish  way,  "  We  were  just 
looking  at  the  cast  for  '  Hamlet.' " 

"  To  be  sure.  I  had  quite  forgotten  that  you  were 
stage-struck,  and  that  I  had  promised  you  to  go  to  see 
Washington.  You  must  get  Fraulein  Ellerbeck  to  take 
you  some  day.'' 

"  We  would  much  rather  see  Macneillie,"  said  Evereld, 
"  for  it  was  Macneillie,  you  know,  who  helped  Ralph  out 
when  he  tumbled  into  the  water." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  then  do  that  instead. 
Fraulein  Ellerbeck,  will  you  take  tickets  for  them? — 
and  the  sooner  the  better,  for  I  hear  there  has  been  a 
great  run  on  the  seats  there  since  the  announcement  of 
i^riss  (rreville's  marriage.  She's  to  marry  Sir  Roderick 
Fenchurch  at  the  end  of  the  season." 

Ralph  and  Evereld  having  poured  forth   delighted 


42  WAYL'AlilNG  MEN 

thanks,  discreetly  kept  silence  when  the  conversation 
turned  on  Miss  Greville's  betrothal. 

"■  They  say,  you  know,"  said  Janet,  "  that  it  is  a  great 
surprise  to  every  one,  and  that  it  was  always  supposed 
she  would  marry  Macneillie." 

And  in  response  to  this  every  one  had  something  to 
say  about  the  probability  or  the  improbability  of  such 
a  story,  save  the  two  children  who,  with  a  proud  pleasure 
in  feeling  that  Macneillie's  secret  was  safe  in  their  keep- 
ing, went  on  eating  bacon  with  the  most  absolute  control 
of  countenance. 

When  the  eagerly  awaited  day  at  length  arrived  and 
the  two  hero-worshippers  were  sitting  in  bliss  at  the  the- 
atre, they  found  some  difficulty  at  first  in  recognising 
Macneillie.  He  was  just  the  Danish  prince  and  no  one 
else.  It  was  only  when  both  hero  and  heroine  were  called 
before  the  curtain,  that  they  could  at  all  think  of  him 
as  the  same  man  they  had  seen  a  few  weeks  before  in 
St.  James'  Park. 

As  he  led  forward  Miss  Greville  the  contrast  between 
them  was  curiously  marked.  She,  with  her  smiling  face, 
her  air  of  perfect  ease  and  content,  seemed  thoroughly 
to  enjoy  the  warm  reception.  He,  on  the  other  hand, 
merely  bowed  mechanically,  and  looked  as  if  this  inter- 
lude were  highly  distasteful  to  him;  the  children  could 
have  fancied  that  he  was  positively  nervous,  though  they 
doubted  whether  an  experienced  actor  could  really  know 
•what  nervousness  meant. 

After  that  call  before  the  curtain  they  lost  the  sense 
that  Hamlet  himself  was  actually  present;  always 
through  the  passionate  scenes  and  the  tragic  death 
■which  followed,  it  was  not  entirely  Hamlet,  but  Mac- 
neillie with  his  own  personal  troubles  that  they  saw; 
they  wondered  much  how  he  could  get  through  his  part, 
and  more  anrl  more  after  that  day  his  name  continually 
rerurred  in  their  talk,  in  their  games,  and  even  in  their 
prayers. 


WAYFARING  MEN  43 

Just  at  the  close  of  the  season  they  saw  him  once 
again.  Fraulein  Ellerbeck  had  promised  that  on  the  first 
fine  Saturday  they  sliould  go  to  Kichmond  Park,  taking 
their  lunch  with  them.  They  had  learnt  from  the  con- 
versation of  their  elders  at  the  breakfast  table  that  it 
was  the  very  day  on  which  Miss  Christine  Greville  was 
to  marry  Sir  Eoderick  Fenchurch.  The  marriage  was 
to  take  place  at  a  small  country  church,  and  was  to  be 
of  a  strictly  private  character.  They  had  talked  of  it 
more  than  once  as  they  sat  at  lunch  under  the  trees  in 
the  park,  and  early  in  the  afternoon  as  they  wandered 
along  the  quiet  paths  and  watched  the  deer  grazing 
peacefully,  their  minds  were  full  of  their  hero  and  his 
trouble.  Suddenly  Evereld  gripped  hold  of  her  compan- 
ion's arm. 

"Look!"  she  exclaimed  in  a  low  voice.  "Is  it  not 
Mr.  Macneillie?" 

Ealph's  heart  beat  fast  as  he  glanced  at  the  approach- 
ing figure.  Had  their  incessant  thought  of  him  con- 
jured up  a  sort  of  vision  of  the  actor?  Or  was  it  indeed 
himself?  Nearer  approach  answered  the  question  plain- 
ly enough.  It  was  undoubtedly  Macneillie,  but  there  was 
something  in  his  ghastly  face  which  struck  terror  into 
the  boy's  heart,  it  reminded  him  of  that  awful  shadow 
of  death  which  he  had  seen  stealing  over  his  father  on 
that  last  never-4;o-be-forgotten  day.  Apparently  quite 
unconscious  of  their  presence,  Macneillie  passed  by,  but 
in  a  minute  Ealph,  to  the  amazement  of  Fraulein  Eller- 
beck and  Evereld,  had  rushed  back  and  overtaken  him. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  he  said,  panting  a  little;  "but 
I  am  the  boy  you  saved  the  other  day  in  St.  James'  Park. 
And — 'and  please  will  you  take  this  knife  as  a  remem- 
brance." 

He  thrust  into  Macneillic's  hand  a  little  old-fashioned 
silver  fruit  knife  which  had  belonged  to  his  father. 

The  actor  evidently  dragged  himself  back  with  an 


44  WAYFARING  MEN 

effort  to  the  world  of  realities.  He  looked  in  a  puzzled 
way  at  the  boy  aud  at  the  embossed  handle  of  the  knife. 

"  You  are  very  good/'  he  said  in  a  perplexed  tone. 
"  Yes,  yes,  I  remember  you  now — you  and  your  boat. 
But  I  don't  like  to  take  your  knife  away  from  you." 

"  But,  indeed,  I  never  use  it;  I  always  eat  peel  and 
all,"  said  Ealph  with  an  earnestness  which  brought  a 
smile  to  Maeneillie's  face.  "  We  went  to  see  you  as 
Hamlet,  and  you  were  splendid!  Please  take  it.  You 
don't  know  how  awfully  I  like  you." 

Maeneillie's  eyes  gave  him  a  kindly  glance  and  his 
cold  fingers  closed  over  the  boy's  small  hot  hand  in  a 
hearty  grip. 

"  Then  I  will  certainly  use  it,"  he  said.  "  It  shall 
travel  in  my  pocket  for  the  rest  of  my  life.  But  only  on 
condition  that  you  take  this.  Don't  get  into  mischief 
with  it." 

And  with  a  smile  he  put  into  his  hand  a  clasp-knife, 
and  while  Ralph  was  still  lost  in  admiration  of  the  long- 
est and  sharpest  blade  he  had  ever  seen,  Macneillie 
passed  rapidly  on  and  disappeared  among  the  trees. 

"  Oh,  Ralph,  how  delightful! "  cried  Evereld,  as  the 
boy  rejoined  them. 

"  How  could  you  be  so  brave  as  to  go  up  and  speak 
to  him?" 

"I'm  awfully  glad  he  took  the  fruit  knife,"  said 
Ralph.  "  But  I  wish  he  hadn't  given  me  this.  It's  such 
a  beauty  and  I  had  done  nothing  for  him." 

"  Perhaps  you  had,"  said  Franloin  Ellerbeck,  thought- 
fully. "  The  unseen  and  unrealised  help  is  often  the 
most  real  help  of  all." 


CHAPTER  V 

"  The  recognition  of  his  rights  therefore,  the  justice  he 
requires  of  our  hands  or  our  thoughts,  is  the  recognition  of 
that  which  the  person,  in  his  inmost  nature,  really  is;  and 
as  sympathy  alone  can  discover  that  which  really  is  in  mat- 
ters of  feeling  and  thought,  true  justice  is  in  its  essence  a 
finer  knowledge  through  love." 

•*  Appreciations,"  Walter  Pateb. 

Six  years  after  that  memorable  August  day,  Ealph 
and  Evereld  might  have  been  seen  on  the  tennis  ground 
attached  to  the  pretty  house  near  Redvale,  which  Sir 
Matthew  was  pleased  to  call  his  "  little  country  cottage." 

It  was  decidedly  one  of  those  cottages  of  gentility 
which  once  caused  the  devil  to  grin.  But  in  spite  of  that 
it  was  a  very  charming  place.  Its  windows  commanded 
an  exquisite  view  over  the  hills  and  woods  of  one  of  the 
southern  counties,  and  its  gardens  were  the  admiration 
of  the  whole  neighbourhood.  The  tennis-lawn  lay  to  the 
left  of  the  house  in  a  cosy  nook  of  its  own,  and  there 
was  no  one  to  see  the  vigorous  game  which  the  two  were 
playing.  This  was  a  pity,  for  the  play  was  skilful  and 
dainty  to  watch,  and  the  players  themselves  were  worth 
looking  at. 

Ealph,  who  had  been  a  remarkably  small  boy,  was 
never  likely,  as  Geraghty  expressed  it,  to  be  "  six  foot 
long  and  broad,"  but  he  had  developed  into  a  well-pro- 
portioned, healthy-looking  fellow,  and  still  retained  his 
open,  boyish  face,  expressive  brown  eyes,  and  thick,  wavy 
brown  hair.    Evereld  was  even  less  changed,  she  was  still 

45 


46  WAYFARING  MEN 

very  small  and  young  for  her  age;  and  altliough  she  was 
fast  approaching  her  eighteenth  birthday  she  wore  the 
sort  of  nondescript  dress  which  girls  often  wear  during 
tlicir  last  year  in  the  schoolroom,  her  skirt  revealing  a 
pair  of  pretty  ankles,  and  her  hair  still  hanging  down 
her  back. 

The  contest  was  an  exciting  one,  but  it  ended  in  a  vic- 
tory for  Iialph,  whose  greater  strength  usually  con- 
quered. 

"  I  am  heavily  handicapped,"  said  Evereld,  throwing 
up  her  racket  with  a  laugh.  "  We'll  borrow  the  vicar's 
cassock  and  the  Lord  Chancellor's  wig  and  you  shall 
play  a  set  in  them  and  see  if  I  don't  beat  you  then  !  " 

"  Come  and  rest,"  said  Ralph,  strolling  towards  the 
little  shady  arbour  at  the  side  of  the  lawn.  "  The  sun 
is  grilling." 

"  You  would  find  it  worse  if  you  had  all  this  weight  to 
endure,"  said  Evereld,  shaking  back  the  cloud  of  nut- 
brown  hair  which  hung  over  her  shoulders.  "  I  shall 
take  to  plaiting  it  up,  then  at  least  one  would  be  cool." 

"  No,  don't  !  "  protested  Ealph.  "  You'll  never  look 
half  as  nice  afterwards.  And  besides,  when  girls  do  up 
their  hair  they  always  leave  off  being  natural  and  get 
grown-up  and  horrid,  and  can't  talk  sense  to  a  fellow." 

"  My  hair  has  nothing  to  do  with  being  natural,"  said 
Evereld,  fanning  herself  with  a  big  fern.  "  How  could  I 
help  being  natural  with  you,  when  we  have  been  to- 
gether all  this  long  time  ?  IIow  I  do  wish  I  were  a  boy 
and  might  have  gone  in  for  the  Indian  Civil,  too.  By- 
f  he-by,  Ralph,  is  that  to-day's  paper  ?  Is  there  any  news 
about  your  exam.?  " 

"  They  sent  the  wrong  paper,"  said  Ralph  taking  it 
up.  "  See,  it's  last  night's  Fvening  Standard  instead 
of  this  morning's;  they  have  been  taking  a  nap  down  at 
the  bookstall.  I  wondor  if  there  really  is  anything  in  at 
last.  It  seems  hard  lines  to  keep  us  on  tenterhooks  from 
the  1st  June  till  August." 


WAYFARING  MEN  47 

» 

"  I  don't  believe  you  have  worried  about  it.  Your 
head  was  full  of  those  private  theatricals  the  moment 
the  exam,  was  over.  How  well  they  went  ofT  !  I  never 
saw  Sir  Matthew  so  nice  to  you.  He  really  did  for  once 
appreciate  you." 

"  That  was  because  other  people  praised  me,"  said 
Ealph.  "  He  would  never  have  said  one  word  of  his  own 
accord.  You'll  never  find  him  committing  himself  be- 
fore he  knows  whether  he  will  be  swimming  with  the 
stream." 

"  Ralph,  do  you  know  I  think  you  are  growing  rather 
hard.  I.  hate  to  hear  you  say  things  like  that  about  Sir 
Matthew.  If  Fraulein  were  here  she  would  have  a 
hundred  instances  of  his  kindness  to  tell  us." 

"  Yes  she  would,"  owned  Ealph.  "  She  has  been  our 
good  angel  all  these  years.  Worse  luck  to  that  old  pro- 
fessor who  married  her  and  left  us  to  ourselves.  Why, 
Evereld,  just  look  at  it  in  that  way.  What  should  you 
and  I  have  been  like  if  all  this  time  we  had  only  had  the 
sort  of  indifferent  cold  charity  which  the  Mactavishes 
have  given  us  ?  Oh,  I  know  there  has  been  money  spent 
on  me:  do  you  think  I  have  ever  been  allowed  to  forget 
that  for  a  moment  ?  But  Sir  Matthew  spoils  with  one 
hand  the  good  he  does  with  the  other.  Thank  heaven, 
I  shall  soon  be  on  my  own  hook.  I  wonder  what  life 
out  in  India  will  be  like — and  what  the  chances  of  get- 
ting any  cricket  are  ?  " 

Evereld  fell  to  talking  of  happy  reminiscences  of 
Simla,  and  they  were  planning  all  manner  of  impossible 
arrangements  for  the  future,  in  which  they  fondly  im- 
agined their  present  brotherly  and  sisterly  relations 
would  be  maintained,  when  Bridget  suddenly  appeared 
upon  the  scene. 

"  Miss  Evereld,"  she  exclaimed,  "  you'd  best  be  com- 
ing in  to  change  your  frock,  my  dear.  Sir  Matthew  has 
come  down  without  any  warning  from  London.     He's 


4S  IV  AY  FARING   MEN 

in  the  library,  Mr.  Ealpli,  and  they  did  tell  me  he  was 
askin'  for  you.     Geraghty  he  just  passed  me  the  word 
that  he  thought  Sir  ISlatthew  was  troubled  in  his  mind 
about  some  little  matter." 
Ealph  flushed. 

*'  You  see  now,"  he  exclaimed,  turning  to  Evereld, 
"if  I  haven't  gone  and  failed  in  that  wretched  exam.! 
What  on  earth  shall  I  do  if  I  have  ?  " 

"  Why,  you  will  go  in  for  it  again  next  year,"  said 
Evereld  philosophically.  "  But  who  says  you  have 
failed?  It  may  be  nothing  to  do  with  the  exam.  Be- 
sides, you  know  that  your  coach  and  Professor  Eosen- 
wald  and  Fraulein — I  mean  Frau  Eosenwald — all 
thought  you  were  safe  to  pass." 

"  I  know  I  had  worked  hard,"  said  Ralph.  "  Well, 
let  me  go  and  hear  the  worst  at  once." 

*'  Don't  despair  so  soon.  As  for  me,  I  believe  you 
have  passed,  and  that  it  is  only  some  business  matter 
that's  worrying  Sir  Matthew.  Good  luck  to  you.  Don't 
stay  long  in  the  library.  I  shall  be  dressed  in  ten 
minutes." 

She  waved  her  hand  gaily  and  ran  upstairs,  while 
IJalph,  with  a  great  dread  hanging  over  him,  went  to  the 
library. 

With  other  people  he  was  invariably  cheerful  and 
talkative,  but  with  Sir  Matthew  he  was  never  his  best 
self.  To  begin  with,  he  was  always  ill  at  ease,  and  by  a 
sort  of  fate  he  seemed  destined  to  say  and  do  exactly 
what  would  annoy  his  patron.  If  he  was  silent.  Sir 
]\Iatthcw  was  in  the  habit  of  rating  him  for  his  dulness. 
If  he  laughed  and  talked,  he  was  ordered  not  to  make 
so  much  noise.  If  he  hazarded  an  opinion  he  was  sure 
to  meet  with  a  snub,  and  at  all  times  and  seasons  he  was 
hedged  in  by  significant  reminders  that  he  was  eating 
the  bread  of  charity.    It  was  well  for  him  that  he  had 


WAYFARING  MEN  49 

seen  comparatively  little  of  the  Mactavislies,  thanks  to 
his  life  at  Winchester  and  to  his  friendship  with  Evereld 
and  her  governess;  but  he  liad  seen  enougli  to  do  him 
considerable  harm  and  to  plant  seeds  of  pride,  and  hard- 
ness, and  distrust  of  humanity  in  his  heart. 

Sir  Matthew  was  sitting  at  his  bureau.  He  glanced 
up  as  the  door  opened,  bestowed  a  curt  nod  upon  Kalph 
and  went  on  writing  in  silence. 

"  They  told  me  you  were  inquiring  for  me,"  said  Ralph 
nervously,  noting  at  once  the  storm  signals  in  Sir  Mat- 
thew's face. 

"  I  did  send  for  you,"  said  the  master  of  the  house 
grimly,  as  he  signed  his  name  with  two  flourishing  M's, 
and  methodically  folded,  directed  and  stamped  his  dis- 
patch. 

Ralph,  liorriby  chafed  by  the  manner  of  his  reception 
and  by  the  suspense,  turned  to  the  window  and  took  up 
a  newspaper  which  was  lying  near  it. 

"  Put  that  down,"  thundered  Sir  Matthew,  as  though 
lie  had  been  ordering  a  child  of  four  years  old. 

"  Sir?  "  said  Ralph,  in  angry  astonishment. 

"  Do  you  think  I  don't  understand  your  game,"  said  * 
Sir  Matthew.     "  You  are  pretending  to  look  for  news 
of  your  examination  when  all  the  time  you  perfectly 
well  know  that  you  have  failed." 

"  Failed  ! "  cried  Ralph  turning  pale,  and  realising 
how  little  he  had  believed  in  failure  when  he  had  talked 
of  the  possibility  with  Evereld.  "  Who  says  I  have 
failed  ?    Where  are  the  lists  ?  " 

He  snatched  at  the  paper  again,  neither  heeding  Sir 
Matthew's  orders  nor  his  scoffing  laugh.  Here  was  the 
list  of  the  successful  candidates,  and  with  eager  eyes  he 
looked  down  it.    The  name  of  Denmead  was  not  there. 

Sir  Matthew  silently  watched  his  expression  of  be- 
wildered despair,  but  though  it  would  have  appealed  to 
some  men  it  did  not  appeal  to  him. 


so  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Now  that  the  newspaper  corroborates  what  I  told 
you,  perliaps  you  believe  my  word,"  he  said  sarcastically. 

"  I  bog  your  pardon,"  said  Ealph,  ""  I  did  not  mean 
to  doubt  you — but  the  shock " 

"  Now  my  good  fellow,  you  may  as  well  be  silent,  the 
less  said  about  a  shock  the  better;  you  know  perfectly 
well  that  you  never  deserved  to  pass  that  examination. 
You  had  idled  away  your  time  over  cricket  and  theatri- 
cals, and  now  you  have  to  face  the  consequences." 

"  You  are  the  first  person  to  say  that,"  said  Ealph, 
resentfully.  "  They  all  told  me  I  had  an  excellent 
chance  and  was  well  prepared." 

"  The  examiners,  however,  thought  differently,"  said 
Sir  Matthew;  "  your  work  was  miserable.  I  have  this 
very  day  been  making  special  inquiries  into  the  matter, 
that  I  may  not  judge  you  unfairly.  You  have  not  only 
failed,  but  failed  ignominiously.  Don't  fidget  about 
while  I  am  talking  to  you;  sit  down  and  listen  to  me  for 
I  have  much  to  say." 

Ralph  forced  himself  to  obey  in  silence. 

"I  am  perfectly  well  aware,"  resumed  Sir  Matthew, 
"that  nowadays  young  men  think  nothing  of  failing, 
that  they  go  in  for  an  examination  time  after  time  with 
light  hearts  while  their  unfortunate  fathers  have  to  pay 
the  piper.  You  were  not  in  a  position  to  behave  in  that 
fashion.  And  you  would  have  shown,  I  think,  a  finer 
sense  of  honour  if  you  had  worked  well." 

"  I  did  work,"  said  Ealph  emphatically.  "  If 
you " 

Sir  Matthew  raised  his  long  hand  and  waved  it  down- 
wards in  a  silencing  manner  that  was  peculiarly  his  own. 

"  I  say  nothing,"  he  continued,  in  his  cool,  measured 
tone,  "  as  to  what  I  might  have  expected  after  the  large 
sum  I  have  thrown  away  on  your  schooling  at  Win- 
chester; I  pay  nothing  as  to  the  three  months  in  Ger- 
many and  the  special  coach  I  provided  for  you;   I  say 


WAYFARING  MEN  51 

nothing  of  the  manner  in  which  I  took  you  at  once  into 
my  own  house  when  there  was  no  one  to  stand  by  you; 
I  say  nothing  as  to  the  fatherly  care  I  have  bestowed  on 
you  all  these " 

He  broke  off  abruptly,  for  Ealph,  with  the  look  of  one 
goaded  past  bearing,  had  sprung  to  his  feet. 

"  No/'  he  cried  passionately,  "  at  least  that  word  you 
shall  not  use:  there  was  never  anything  fatherly  about 
you.  All  those  other  things  that  you  cast  in  my  teeth 
though  you  say  you  won't  mention  them — they  are  true 
enough,  and  I  have  tried  to  be  grateful — I — "  he  half 
choked  in  the  desperate  struggle  between  his  pride  and 
a  certain  sense  of  courtesy  which  still  clung  to  him — "  I 
will  try  always  to  be  grateful."  He  strode  across  the 
room  to  the  window,  panting  for  air.  A  chuckle  escaped 
Sir  Matthew. 

"  You  were  always  a  good  hand  at  acting,"  he  re- 
marked, "  but  I  shall  be  obliged  if  you  will  come  down 
from  your  high  horse  and  remember  that  I  am  talking 
about  a  business  arrangement.  Don't  waste  my  time, 
but  listen  to  what  I  have  to  say  to  you." 

Ralph  paced  back  again  to  the  hearthrug  and  stood 
there,  looking  steadily  down  at  his  patron.  It  somehow 
seemed  as  if  in  those  few  moments  he  had  passed  from 
boyhood  altogether,  even  Sir  Matthew  noted  the  change 
in  his  look  and  bearing.  *'  The  only  thing,"  he  resumed, 
"  in  which  I  ever  saw  you  really  exert  yourself  was  in 
that  play  at  the  end  of  the  season.  I  quite  admit  that 
you  learnt  the  part  of  Charles  Surface  at  very  short 
notice  and  that  you  acted  it  far  better  than  any  amateur 
I  ever  had  the  pain  of  watching.  But  to  play  a  part  in 
"  The  School  for  Scandal "  is  one  thing,  and  to  be  fit  to 
play  your  part  in  life  is  another.  You  will  never,  I  am 
convinced,  be  sharp  enough  for  the  Indian  Civil  Service, 
I  shall  not  permit  you  to  go  in  again  for  it  next  year. 
I  have  already  wasted  too  much  upon  you  and  shall  not 


52  WAY  FARING  MEN 

throw  good  money  after  bad.  That's  always  a  mis- 
take." 

Ixalph  could  not  calmly  stand  by  and  hear  his  whole 
future  overturned  without  a  word;  he  broke  in  eagerly, 
perhaps  rashly.  "  Yet  many  have  failed  the  first  time 
and  afterwards  turned  out  well,"  he  pleaded.  "  The 
standard  of  age,  too,  is  likely  to  be  raised  they  say.  I 
would  work  my  hardest.  If  you  will  let  me  try 
again "  But  once  more  Sir  Matthew  gave  that  ex- 
pressive downward  wave  of  the  hand. 

"  No,"  he  said  peremptorily,  "  You  have  had  your 
chance  and  lost  it.  Still,  I  am  loth  to  turn  my  back  al- 
together on  an  old  friend's  son,  and  for  my  own  satis- 
faction I  offer  you  one  more  opportunity.  I  will  make 
a  parson  of  you.  Do  you  remember  that  snug  little 
vicarage  up  in  the  north  of  England  where  last  year  we 
went  to  call  on  a  Mr.  Crosbie  ?  Years  ago  the  Mac- 
tavishes  owned  the  living;  it  had  been  in  the  family  for 
generations.  My  father  at  a  time  when  he  was  pressed  for 
money  sold  it  to  old  Crosbie.  I  have  long  wished  to  have 
the  property  again,  and  only  to-day  Crosbie  happened 
to  be  in  town  and  I  got  him  to  promise  me  that  if  I 
bought  the  living  he  would  undertake  to  retire  in 
four  years.  You  had  better  not  tell  it  in  Gath,  for  of 
course  the  promise  to  retire  is  a  strictly  private  matter, 
but  for  the  rest  it's  all  legal  enough.  Next  month 
you  will  be  twenty.  In  four  years  you  could  be  or- 
dained priest,  and  I  will  undertake  to  see  you  through 
your  training  and  to  put  you  into  this  living.  It's  three 
hundred  and  a  house;  you  could  be  happy  enough  up 
there,  and  for  your  father's  sake  I  am  willing  to  do  as 
much  as  that  for  you." 

There  was  something  so  artificial  in  those  last  words 
that  Ralph,  whose  anger  had  been  rising  every  moment, 
now  broke  forth  indignantly. 

"  Is  it  for  his  sake  that  you  put  before  me  a  temptation 


WAYFARING  MEN  53 

of  this  sort  ?  You  surcl}'  know — you  must  know — that 
my  father  would  never  have  accepted  a  living  obtained 
in  that  way.  Had  you  offered  it  him,  and  had  it  been 
worth  ten  times  the  money,  he  would  not  have  touched 
it  with  a  pair  of  tongs.    Why,  the  thing  is  rank  simony!  " 

"  You  receive  offers  of  help  in  a  somewhat  curious 
fashion,  young  man,"  said  Sir  Matthew  with  a  sneer. 
"  But  in  spite  of  that  I  still  think  you  are  very  well  cut 
out  for  a  parson.  Your  dramatic  instincts  and  your 
good  voice  would  fit  you  well  enough  for  the  Church, 
and  you  are  already  able,  I  perceive,  to  preach  to  your 
elders  and  betters." 

Ralph  winced  at  the  sarcasm,  but  he  caught  hold  of 
the  weak  point  in  his  opponent's  argument. 

"  No,"  he  said,  emphatically,  "  I  am  not  fit  for  the 
work  of  a  clergyman.  The  only  thing  that  can  fit  a  man 
for  that  is  a  distinct  call  from  God.  You  are  tempting 
me  to  go  in  for  the  loaves  and  fishes,  and  you  dare  to  say 
that  you  do  this  for  my  father's  sake — my  father,  who 
would  have  starved  first!  " 

"  Perhaps  he  would,"  said  Sir  Matthew  coldly.  "  He 
was,  as  all  his  friends  knew,  an  unpractical  fool.  You 
needn't  look  as  if  you  could  kill  me.  He  had  excellent 
abilities  but  no  power  of  pushing  his  way,  and  he  left 
you  a  beggar  in  consequence,  proving,  according  to 
scripture,  that  as  he  had  neglected  to  secure  future  pro- 
vision for  his  family  he  had  denied  the  faith  and  was 
worse  than  an  infidel.  Now,  to  return  to  business;  are 
you  going  to  accept  this  offer  of  mine,  or  do  you  intend  to 
be  a  pig-headed  idiot,  and  affect  to  be  calling  a  mere 
matter  of  business  simony  ?  " 

Ralph's  eyes  lighted  up. 

"  I  mean,"  he  said  quietly,  "  to  be  true  to  my  father's 
ideals." 

Sir  Matthew  broke  into  a  discordant  laugh. 
Did  his  precious  ideals  feed  you  and  clothe  you  and 


a 


54  WAYFARING   MEN 

send  you  to  "Winchester  ?  Don't  you  know  by  his  own 
confession  that  he  had  mismanaged  his  affairs  ?  " 

"  I  know,"  said  Ealph  indignantly,  "  that,  whatever 
his  faults,  he  was  at  least  an  honest  man." 

He  had  meant  no  insinuation  whatever,  but  the  words 
galled  his  companion  terribly.  Sir  ]\Iatthew  rose  to  his 
feet  in  a  towering  passion. 

"  You  impertinent,  ungrateful  fellow,  do  you  dare  to 
insult  me  in  my  own  house  ?  Go,  sir,  get  out  of  my 
sight  !  I  have  liad  enough  of  you.  Let  us  see  now  how 
your  ideals  will  support  you!  Leave  my  house  and  never 
set  foot  in  it  again  !  " 

Kalph,  too  angry  and  sore  to  realise  all  that  the  words 
meant,  turned  without  a  word  and  left  the  library. 


CHAPTER  VI 

"  The  grace  of  friendship — mind  and  heart, 
Linked  with  their  fellow  heart  and  mind; 
The  gains  of  science,  gifts  of  art; 
The  sense  of  oneness  with  our  kind; 
The  thirst  to  know  and  understand — 
A  large  and  liberal  discontent: 
These  are  the  goods  in  life's  rich  hand. 
The  things  that  are  more  excellent." 

William  Watson. 

The  moment  the  door  had  closed  hehind  the  boy  Sir 
Matthew's  anger  cooled.  For  the  time  it  had  been  genu- 
ine, for  quite  unintentionally  Ealph  had  used  words 
which  stung  him  as  no  others  could  have  done.  There 
were  two  things  in  the  world  that  the  company  promoter 
sincerely  cared  about — successful  speculation,  and  his 
reputation  as  a  philanthropist.  His  adoption  of  Ralph 
had  been  almost  entirely  a  speculation,  one  of  the  spe- 
cious bits  of  kindness  which  he  had  intended  to  redound 
to  his  own  honour  and  glory.  Having  once  undertaken 
the  lad's  education  he  could  not  for  his  own  credit's  sake 
turn  back,  but  from  the  very  first  he  had  shrewdly 
guessed  that  it  would  prove  a  bad  investment,  and  Ralph 
had  been  a  thorn  in  his  side.  To  begin  with,  the  boy  was 
in  face  curiously  like  his  father,  and  Sir  Matthew  had 
some  lingering  remains  of  affection  for  his  old  friend, 
even  though  in  his  heart  he  despised  him  for  not  being 
more  of  a  man  of  the  world.  He  had  not  lived  the  life 
of  a  company  promoter  without  having  grown  perfectly 
callous  to  the  sufferings  of  his  victims,  but  yet  the  con- 

55 


56  WAYFARING  MEN 

science  that  was  not  dead  but  dormant  within  him  had 
been  faintly  stirred  at  Whinhaven  when  he  realised  that 
the  Kectors  ruin  had  been  his  work.     Partly  to  salve 
his  conscience,  but  chiefly  because  the  world  would  ap- 
plaud the  action,  he  had  adopted  Kalph.    The  boy,  how- 
ever, had  not  taken  kindly  to  the  part  assigned  him.    He 
never  showed  off  well  before  visitors,  never  learnt  to  pose 
as  a  grateful  recipient  of  unmerited  kindness.     On  the 
contrary,  Sir  Matthew  always  had  an  uncomfortable  feel- 
ing that  Ealph  saw  through  him,  and  knew  him  to  be 
a  humbug.    As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  taunting  allusions 
he  had  just  made  to  Mr.  Denmead's  mistakes  and  errors 
of  judgment  had  driven  his  hearer  far  from  all  recollec- 
tion of  Sir  Matthew's  actions  or  character;    Ealph  had 
thought  only  of  that  inward  picture  stamped  indelibly 
upon  his  brain  of  the  high-minded  and  scrupulously 
honourable  father,  who  somehow  seemed  to  him  more  of 
a  living  reality  as  he  spoke  than  the  angry,  self-impor- 
tant patron  confronting  him. 

"  He  was  at  least  an  honest  man  ! "  The  words  had 
intended  no  reflection  on  Sir  Matthew,  but  they  had 
gone  straight  to  the  company  promoter's  one  vulnerable 
spot,  and  for  the  moment  had  sharply  pained  him.  In- 
censed at  the  perception  that  this  fellow  might  hurt  his 
jealously  guarded  reputation,— that  reputation  for  be- 
nevolence which  was  part  of  his  stock-in-trade,  he  had 
burst  forth  into  angry  denunciation,  and  in  one  indig- 
nant sentence  had  severed  all  connection  between  them. 

He  took  out  a  memorandum  book  now,  and  made  an 
entry  in  it  with  much  deliberation,  then  sat  for  some 
time  wrapped  in  thought,  gnawing  absently  at  his  pencil 
case,  a  trick  which  he  had  acquired,  and  of  which  the 
dinted  surface  of  the  silver  bore  tokens. 

"  One  may  trust  a  Denmead  to  be  honourable,"  he  re- 
flected with  a  curious  sense  of  satisfaction.  "  The  boy 
will  never  mention  that  little  private  arrangement  as  to 


WAYFARING  MEN  57 

Crosbic's  retiring  in  four  years.  I  have  bought  the  living 
and  now  the  question  is  how  can  I  use  it  best  to  further 
my  own  ends?  After  all,  it's  just  as  well  that  this  fool 
has  refused  it.  I  can  use  it  as  a  bait  for  some  one  else, 
and  I'm  quit  of  Ealph  for  ever.  Though  the  boy  is  so 
like  his  father  in  face  there's  much  more  go  in  him  than 
there  ever  was  in  poor  Denmead.  He  has  a  bit  of  the 
sturdy  pluck  and  energy  of  his  little  Welsh  mother. 
Pshaw  !  I  needn't  trouble  about  him.  He's  the  sort 
that  will  swim  and  not  sink,  and  a  little  course  of  starva- 
tion will  bring  him  down  from  his  impossible  heights 
and  teach  him  that  he  must  do  as  other  men  do." 

With  that  he  rose  and  left  the  library  in  search  of  his 
wife,  and  having  chatted  pleasantly  enougli  with  her  at 
afternoon  tea,  he  casually  alluded  to  Kalph's  departure. 

"  What  ! "  said  Lady  Mactavish,  "  Is  he  going  out  to 
India,  do  you  mean." 

"  Not  that  I  know  of,"  said  Sir  Matthew  with  a  laugh. 
"  He  has  failed  ignominiously  in  his  examination,  and 
has  been  most  insufferably  impertinent  to  me.  I  have 
given  him  his  conge,  and  he  will  trouble  us  no  more." 

"  The  ungrateful  boy!  "  said  Lady  Mactavish  indig- 
nantly, "  after  all  that  you  have  done  for  him  too." 

"  He  has  behaved  very  badly,"  said  Sir  Matthew;  "  and 
I  think,  my  dear,  we  are  well  Cjuit  of  him.  I  shall  not 
see  him  again,  but  you  had  better  just  say  good-bye  to 
him,  and  by-the-by,  I  think  you  might  give  him  a  couple 
of  five-pound  notes;  I  should  be  sorry  to  launch  him  into 
the  world  without  a  penny  in  his  pockets.  It  might 
make  people  think  that  I  had  been  harsh  with  him." 

Ralph  had  gone  straight  up  to  the  schoolroom  in 
search  of  Evereld,  but  something  had  delayed  her  and  he 
found  the  place  deserted.  Throwing  himself  down  on 
the  window-seat,  he  let  the  soft  west  wind  cool  his 
flushed  face  and  tried  to  think  calmly  over  the  interview 
with  Sir  Matthew.     The  attack  on  his  father  had  angered 


58  WAYFARING  MEN 

him  as  nothing  else  could  have  done,  and  it  was  over  this 
rather  than  over  his  own  future  that  he  mused.  The 
sound  of  Evereld's  voice  singing  in  the  passage  roused 
him,  but  before  she  had  reached  the  schoolroom,  the  red 
baize  door  leading  from  the  other  part  of  the  house 
creaked  on  its  hinges,  and  Lady  Mactavish  appeared 
upon  the  scene. 

"  I  was  looking  for  you,  Ralph,"  she  said,  entering  the 
room  in  front  of  P^vereld.  "  I  learn,  to  my  great  an- 
noyance, that  you  have  failed  in  your  examination,  failed 
ignominiously.  It  is  quite  clear  to  us  all  that  you  have 
not  been  working  properly." 

"  But  every  one  says  that  the  Indian  Civil  is  such  a 
dreadfully  stiff  exam.,"  said  Evereld,  "  and  he  did  work 
very  hard  in  Germany;  they  all  said  so." 

"  Don't  interrupt  me,  my  dear,"  said  Lady  Mactavish. 
"  It  is  not  a  matter  you  can  understand.  After  all  that 
Sir  Matthew  has  done  for  you.  Ralph,  I  think  at  least  you 
might  have  behaved  properly  to  him.  He  tells  me  that 
you  were  so  impertinent  that  he  has  been  forced  to  order 
you  out  of  the  house." 

"  I  had  no  intention  of  being  rude,"  said  Ralph,  stand- 
ing before  her  with  much  the  same  expression  of  im- 
patience, curbed  by  a  sense  of  obligation  with  which  he 
had  always  taken  her  fault-finding. 

"  I  am  quite  aware  that  your  intentions  are  always, 
according  to  your  own  account,  immaculate,"  she  said 
scathingly,  "  but,  unfortunately,  your  words  and  actions 
don't  correspond  with  them.  You  have  behaved  abom- 
inably to  the  man  who  has  fed,  and  clothed,  and  housed 
you  all  these  years,  a  man  who  has  wasted  hundreds  of 
pounds  on  your  schooling." 

"  Believe  me,  I  do  not  forget  what  he  has  done  for 
me,"  said  Ralph  eagerly.  "  I  am  grateful  for  it.  But  he 
used  words  of  my  father  which  were  cruel,  words  which 
no  son  could  patiently  have  listened  to." 


WAYFARING  MEN  59 

"  Nothing  can  excuse  the  way  you  have  behaved," 
said  Lady  Mactavish,  "  so  say  no  more  about  it.  What 
are  your  plans?  " 

"  I  have  made  none,"  said  Ealph,  "  except  to  go  by  the 
six  o'clock  train." 

"  Where  are  you  going?  " 

"  To  London,"  he  replied. 

Lady  Mactavish  glanced  at  him  a  little  uneasily.  She 
could  not  without  prickings  of  conscience  think  of  turn- 
ing this  boy  adrift. 

"  Sir  Matthew,  with  his  usual  kindness  and  generosity, 
asked  me  to  give  you  these,"  she  said,  holding  out  the 
bank  notes.  "  Though  you  have  so  much  disappointed 
and  pained  him,  he  will  not  let  you  be  sent  away  without 
money." 

But  Ealph  drew  back;  there  was  a  look  in  his  eyes 
which  half  frightened  Evereld. 

"  Thank  you,"  he  said,  "  but  I  cannot  take  them; 
after  what  passed  just  now  in  the  library  it  is  out  of  the 
question." 

Lady  Mactavish  looked  uncomfortable.  "  You  have 
been  so  shielded  and  cared  for  that  you  don't  realise 
what  the  worid  is.  You  will  ceri;ainly  be  getting  into 
trouble.    I  desire  you  to  take  these." 

"  I  am  sorry  to  refuse  you  anything,"  he  said  with 
studied  politeness.  "  But  you  ask  what  is  impossi- 
ble." 

"  Your  pride  is  perfectly  ridiculous,"  she  said,  turning 
away  with  a  look  of  annoyance.  "  However,  I  shall  re- 
tain these  notes  for  you,  and  when  you  have  realised 
your  foolishness,  you  can  write  and  ask  me  for  them." 

Something  in  Iter  tone,  touched  Ealph.  It  seemed  to 
him  that  perhaps  after  all  she  had  taken  some  little 
thought  for  his  well-being,  and  that  behind  her  grumb- 
ling, ungracious  manner,  there  was  more  real  heart  than 
he  had  dreamed. 


6o  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Will  you  not  let  me  say  good-bye  to  you?  "  he  said. 
"  You  must  not  think  I  am  ungrateful  for  the  home  you 
have  given  me  all  these  years." 

She  took  leave  of  him  more  kindly  than  he  had  ex- 
pected, after  which  he  turned  thoughtfully  back  into 
the  schoolroom,  where  he  found  poor  Evereld  sobbing 
her  heart  out. 

"  Oh,  don't  cry,"  he  said  as  if  the  sight  of  her  tears 
had  added  the  last  straw  to  his  burden.  "  It  can't  be 
helped,  Evereld,  and  after  all,  had  I  got  through  my 
exam.  I  should  have  been  going  abroad  before  so  very 
long.  And  you  are  going  to  school  for  a  year.  There 
will  be  no  end  of  friends  for  you  there." 

"  They  won't  be  like  you,"  sobbed  Evereld,  "  You 
are  just  like  my  brother  now.  Oh,  how  I  wish  we  were 
really  brother  and  sister,  then  they  couldn't  turn  you 
out  like  this." 

"  I  wish  we  were,"  said  Ealph  with  a  sigh,  as  he  rea- 
lised how  utterly  he  had  now  cut  himself  off  from  inter- 
course with  her.  All  we  can  do,  I  suppose,  is  to  hear 
of  each  other  through  the  Professor  and  Frau  Rosen- 
wald.  They  will  never  let  me  write  to  you  at  school. 
It's  not  as  if  I  were  your  brother  really  or  even  your 
cousin.     They're  awfully  strict  at  schools  about  that." 

"  Well,"  said  Evereld,  resolutely  drying  her  eyes,  "  We 
can  write  in  the  holidays,  and  in  a  little  more  than  three 
years'  time  I  can  do  just  exactly  what  I  like.  Promise, 
Ralph,  that  you  will  come  to  mo  when  I  am  one  and 
twenty.    Promise  me  faithfully." 

"  I  promise,"  he  said.  But  as  he  spoke  it  seemed  to 
him  that  by  that  time  a  thousand  things  might  have 
happened  to  divide  them.  lie  had  a  perception  some- 
how that,  once  broken,  that  brotherly  and  sisterly  in- 
timacy could  never  again  be  the  same  thing.  Later  on, 
Evereld  knew  that  it  was  indeed  at  an  end,  but  for  the 
moment  his  promise  cheered  her,  and  she  set  herself  to 


WAYFARING  MEN  61 

work  to  make  the  most  of  the  present.  "  Come,"  she 
said,  "  tea  is  getting  cold,  and  you  must  eat  all  you  can, 
for  who  knows  where  you  will  dine.  Oh,  Ealph!  what 
do  you  mean  to  do?  Where  shall  you  go  in  London?  " 
"  I  think  I  shall  go  first  to  my  father's  solicitor,  old 
Mr.  Marriott.  He  was  kind  to  me  when  I  left  Whin- 
haven,  and  he  will  know  the  whole  truth  about  things, 
and  will  perhaps  advise  me." 

"  Shall  you  go  in  for  the  Indian  Civil  again?  " 
"  I  don't  think  so,  for  most  likely  all  that  part  is  true 
enough.  I  must  have  failed  badly;  I  never  was  any  good 
at  exams.  No,  I  have  a  great  idea  of  trying  my  luck  on 
the  stage.  That  was  always  my  wish  since  the  day  when 
my  father  took  me  to  see  Washington.  We  often  laughed 
over  the  plan  and  discussed  it,  and  he  had  none  of  that 
horror  of  the  stage  which  so  many  parsons  profess  to 
have." 

"  That  would  be  delightful, — a  thousand  times  better 
than  going  to  India!  And  perhaps  we  shall  go  to  see 
you  act.  And  oh!  perhaps  you'll  get  to  know  Macneil- 
lie! " 

"  I  have  no  idea  where  Macneillie  has  gone  to,"  said 
Ealph.  "  He  has  not  played  in  London  for  the  last  six 
years;  somebody  told  me  he  had  started  a  Company  of 
his  own  in  the  provinces.  It  wouldn't  be  a  bad  idea 
to  find  out,  and  write  to  him.  Unless  our  hero-worship 
threw  a  very  deceptive  halo  round  him,  he  must  be  an 
awfully  kind-hearted  man.  Come!  drink  to  my  good 
fortune,  and  then  like  an  angel  just  help  me  to  sort  out 
my  things.  Tea,  and  this  notion  of  yours  about  Mac- 
neillie make  me  feel  like  a  giant  refreshed.  After  all, 
it  will  be  jolly  enough  to  be  on  one's  own  hook  after 
eating  the  bitter  bread  of  charity  all  this  time." 

"  Yet  I  rather  wish  you  had  taken  those  bank  notes," 
said  Everolrl.  "How  much  money  have  you,  Ealph,  to 
start  with?" 


62  WAYFARING  MEN 

He  felt  in  one  pocket  and  produced  a  florin.  "  That 
^vill  take  me  to  London,"  he  said.  He  felt  in  another 
tmd  produced  half  a  sovereign,  "  on  that  I  can  live  for 
a  week,"  he  remarked. 

"And  after  that?"  said  Evereld. 

He  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  There  are  night  refuges  I  believe,  where  for  a  penny 
one  can  lie  in  a  box  and  warm  oneself  with  a  leather 
coverlet.  And  failing  these,  there  is  always  the  Park, 
where  you  can  enjoy  part  of  a  bench  without  any  charge 
at  all." 

"  Ralph,  I'm  not  going  to  allow  it,"  said  Evereld,  her 
firm  little  mouth  assuming  its  most  resolute  expression. 
"  Do  you  think  I  should  have  let  Dick  go  away  to  starve 
upon  twelve  shillings  while  I  was  lapped  in  luxury?  I 
took  you  for  my  brother,  the  very  first  night  you  came, 
and  I'm  not  going  to  give  you  up,  whatever  you  say." 
She  unlocked  her  desk  and  took  out  four  sovereigns. 
"  This  is  all  I  have  left  of  my  allowance;  I  wish  it  were 
bank  notes  like  the  ones  you  refused.  But  you  can't  re- 
fuse mine,  Ralph." 

He  hesitated.  "  I  don't  think  I  ought  to  take  them,'* 
he  said. 

"Why  not?" 

"  The  world  would  be  shocked.  What  right  have  I 
to  your  money?  " 

"  Every  right,  since  we  belong  to  each  other.  And 
as  to  the  world  it  has  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the 
matter.  Don't  waste  time,  Ralph.  Please  take  it  for  mv 
sake." 

He  could  not  resist  the  blue  eyes  brimming  with  tears, 
but  let  her  place  the  money  in  his  hand  and  gave  her 
a  brotherly  hug.  Then  they  hastily  began  to  collect  his 
possessions,  talking  bravely  of  the  future,  and  many 
times  alluding  to  their  old  hero  Macneillie. 

In  the  meantime  in   Geraghty's  pantry  two   other 


WAYFARING  MEN  63 

friends  were  colloguing;  Bridget  having  learnt  the  fate 
that  was  to  befall  her  young  gentleman  was  opening  her 
heart  to  her  elderly /a/ice. 

"  It's  turnin'  of  him  out  that  they're  after,"  she  said 
indignantly,  "  And  him  a  fine  handsome  boy  and  knowin' 
just  nothin'  of  the  world.  Sure  thin,  Geraghty,  it's  a 
sin,  it's  just  a  mortal  sin,  and  him  without  connictions, 
let  alone  relations," 

"  Where  will  he  be  goin'?  "  asked  Geraghty  thought- 
fully. 

"  I  heard  them  say  he  was  goin'  to  London,  and  you 
know  what  that  will  be  meanin'  when  a  boy's  got  neither 
money  nor  friends  to  keep  him  in  the  right  way.  It 
breaks  me  heart  to  think  of  it." 

"  Well,  maybe  I'd  better  be  tellin'  him  of  Dan  Doo- 
lan's  house  at  Vauxhall.  He'd  be  with  good  dacent  folk 
there  and  they'd  not  be  askin'  a  high  rint.  Here,  give 
me  that  tray.  I'll  fetch  down  the  schoolroom  cups  for 
ye,  and  that'll  give  me  a  chance  to  speak  with  him." 

Geraghty  had  always  been  a  favourite  in  the  school- 
room, and  Ealph  turned  to  the  old  fellow  now  with  a 
hearty  appreciation  of  his  kindly  thoughtfulness. 

"  We  shall  all  miss  you,  Mr.  Ralph,"  he  said.  "  And 
if  I  might  make  so  bold  as  to  be  giving  you  the  ricom- 
mindation  of  some  rooms  in  London,  where  they  tell 
me  you're  going,  I  think  you'd  find  them  respectable, 
which  is  more  than  can  be  said  for  many  places.  The 
house  belongs  to  Dan  Doolan,  that's  my  sister's  hus- 
band's uncle,  he  and  his  wife  are  very  dacent  folk  and 
they  would  do  their  utmost  for  you  and  give  you  a  warm 
welcome." 

"  Trust  the  Irish  for  that,"  said  Ralph,  "  I'm  very 
much  obliged  to  you,  Geraghty,  for  I  hadn't  an  idea 
where  to  look  for  lodgings.  Come,  Evereld,  now  you 
will  feel  much  happier  about  me." 

He  took  down  the  address,  and  then,  with  the  help  of 


64  WAYFARING  MEN 

Geraghty  and  Bridget  and  Evereld,  the  packing  was  fin- 
ished and  the  moment  of  leave-taking  arhved.  The  but- 
ler had  earned  down  the  last  portmanteau,  Bridget  had 
invoked  blessings  on  his  head  and  gone  away  wiping 
her  eyes  with  her  apron,  and  the  two  friends  were  left 
in  the  quiet  schoolroom. 

"  Remember  your  promise,"  said  Evereld  earnestly. 

"  I  will  remember,"  said  Ralph.  "  And  after  all  it  is 
likely  enough  that  we  shall  meet  before  that.  Courage, 
dear!     Don't  fret.     The  time  will  soon  pass."' 

"  Here  is  a  book  for  you  to  read  in  the  train,"  she 
added,  afraid  to  say  much,  lest  she  should  break  down. 
"  You  must  have  a  Dickens  to  comfort  you,  and  this 
will  be  the  best,  for  the  wind  is  very  much  in  the  east 
to-day,  as  dear  old  Mr.  Jarndyce  would  have  said." 

She  gave  him  her  own  copy  of  "  Bleak  House  "  and 
Ralph,  Avith  a  choking  sensation  in  his  throat,  bent  down 
and  kissed  the  sweet  rosy  face  that  was  still  so  childlike. 
After  that,  without  another  word,  he  left  the  house,  and 
Evereld,  running  to  her  bedroom,  watched  him  until  he 
had  disappeared  in  the  distance,  then,  throwing  herself 
on  the  bed,  cried  as  though  her  heart  would  break. 


CHAPTER  VII 

"  Is  our  age  an  age  of  genuine  pity?  I  have  my  doubts. 
It  is  pre-eminently  an  age  of  bustle,  and  fuss,  and  fidget; 
but  I  think  we  are  lacking  in  tenderness." — Dk.  Jessop. 

After  the  pain  of  his  farewells  had  begun  to  wear 
off  a  little,  Ealph,  being  naturally  of  a  hopeful  tempera- 
ment, turned  not  without  some  pleasurable  feelings  to 
the  thought  of  the  future  that  lay  before  him.  More  and 
more  his  old  dreams  of  becoming  an  actor  filled  his  mind, 
and  in  the  sudden  change  which  had  befallen  his  fort- 
unes he  saw  something  not  unlike  a  distinct  call  to  re- 
turn to  his  first  ideal.  He  clung  all  the  more  to  the 
thought  because  of  the  uprooting  he  had  just  undergone, 
and  as  he  travelled  through  the  Surrey  hills  on  that 
summer  evening,  found  comfort  in  the  anchorage  of  a 
firm  resolve  to  do  all  that  was  in  his  power  to  fit  himself 
for  his  new  vocation.  That  one  did  not  climb  the  ladder 
at  a  bound  he  of  course  knew  well  enough,  and  he  had 
sense  to  guess  that  it  would  be  a  difficult  matter  to  get 
room  even  on  the  lowest  step  of  the  ladder.  A  hard 
struggle  lay  before  him,  but  he  was  full  of  vigorous 
young  life  and  did  not  shrink  from  the  prospect.  Then, 
too,  he  was  keenly  conscious  of  the  relief  of  no  longer 
depending  upon  the  Mactavishes.  He  could  exactly 
sympathise  with  Esther  in  "  Bleak  House,"  who  was  al- 
ways sensible  of  filling  a  place  in  her  godmother's  estab- 
lishment which  ought  to  have  been  empty.  It  was 
something  after  all  to  be  free,  even  though  not  precisely 
knowing  how  he  was  to  keep  body  and  soul  together. 

6s 


66  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

With  the  exception  of  old  Mr.  Marriott  there  seemed  few 
to  whom  he  could  apply  for  advice.  His  late  master  at 
Winchester  was  away  in  Switzerland;  the  Professor  and 
Frau  Eosenwald  were  in  Dresden  and  were  little  likely 
to  be  able  to  help  him,  while  of  friends  of  his  own  age 
he  had  scarcely  any,  owing  to  Lady  Maetavish's  dislike 
to  his  accepting  invitations  for  the  holidays  which  would 
have  made  return  invitations  necessary. 

On  reaching  Charing  Cross  he  went  straight  to  Sir 
Matthew's  bouse  in  Queen  Anne's  Gate,  left  his  lug- 
gage there,  arranged  to  come  the  next  day  and  pack 
the  few  things  he  had  in  his  room,  and  then  walked  to 
Ebury  Street  to  inquire  whether  Mr.  Marriott  were  at 
home.  London  had  such  a  deserted  air  that  he  began  to 
fear  that  the  solicitor  would  have  joined  in  the  general 
exodus.  But  fortune  favoured  him,  Mr.  Marriott  was 
in  town  still  and  had  just  returned  from  the  City.  He 
was  ushered  into  a  comfortable  library,  where,  in  a  few 
moments,  the  old  lawyer  joined  him,  receiving  him  in 
such  a  kindly  and  courteous  way  that  the  friendless  feel- 
ing which  had  taken  possession  of  him  on  his  arrival 
in  London  quite  left  him. 

"  I  hope  you  will  excuse  my  coming  at  such  an  hour 
and  to  your  private  house,  but  I  half  feared  you  might 
be  away  and  I  was  very  anxious  for  your  advice,"  he 
said,  when  the  old  man's  greetings  were  ended. 

"  I'm  heartily  glad  you  did  come  to-night,"  said  Mr. 
Marriott.  "  For  to-morrow  I  go  to  Switzerland  with 
my  sister  and  my  daughter.  Is  Sir  Matthew  still  in 
town?     Are  you  staying  with  him?" 

"  lie  has  this  very  day  turned  me  out  of  his  house," 
said  I?alph,  and  he  briefly  told  the  lawyer  what  had 
passed. 

"  This  seems  a  serious  matter,"  said  Mr.  Marriott. 
"  We  must  talk  it  over  together,  but  in  the  meantime, 
I  will  send  round  for  your  things,  and  you  will,  I  hope. 


WAYFARING  MEN  67 

spend  the  night  here.  After  dinner,  we  will  put  our 
heads  together,  and  see  what  can  be  done." 

Ralph  could  only  gratefully  accept  the  hospitality, 
and  it  proved  to  be  just  the  genuine  old-fashioned  hos- 
pitality that  docs  the  heart  good,  and  is  as  unlike  its 
forced  counterfeit  as  real  fruit  is  unlike  its  waxen  imi- 
tation. 

Old  Mr.  Marriott's  sister  proved  to  be  one  of  those 
eternally  young  people  who  at  seventy  have  more  capa- 
city for  enjoying  life  than  many  girls  of  eighteen.  Her 
vivacious  face,  with  its  ever  varying  expression,  her 
kindly  human  interest  in  all  things  and  all  people,  did 
more  to  drive  bitter  recollections  from  Ralph's  mind 
than  anything  else  could  have  done.  Moreover,  he  lost 
his  heart  to  pretty  Katharine  Marriott,  though  she  was 
many  years  his  senior.  Her  large,  serious,  brown  eyes, 
and  her  air  of  gentle  dignity  seemed  to  him  perfection; 
he  could  have  imagined  her  to  be  some  stately  Spanish 
lady  in  her  black,  lace  dress,  and  though  she  said  little 
to  him,  her  whole  manner  was  full  of  sympathetic  charm. 
When  the  ladies  had  left  the  table,  Mr.  Marriott  began 
to  make  further  inquiries  as  to  what  had  passed  that 
afternoon. 

"  Is  it  not  possible,"  he  suggested,  "  that  you  too  rea- 
dily took  Sir  Matthew  at  his  word?  He  has  been  kind  to 
you  all  these  years,  has  he  not?'^ 

"  He  has  carried  out  what  he  undertook,"  said  Ralph, 
"  and  twice,  no — three  times — I  remember  that  he  really 
spoke  kindly  to  me.  For  the  rest  of  the  six  years  he  has 
never  noticed  me  at  all  except  to  find  fault." 

"  Do  you  mean  that  you  got  into  trouble?  That  your 
school  reports  were  bad  or  an3d:hing  of  that  sort?" 

"  No,  they  were  decent  enough,  and  I  was  never  ex- 
actly in  any  scrape,  but  somehow,  in  little  ways  I  always 
managed  to  displease  him;  spoke  too  much,  or  too  little, 
or  too  loud,  or  not  distinctly.     If  one  made  the  least 


68  WAYFARING  MEN 

noise  in  coming  into  a  room  or  closing  a  door  he  couldn't 
endure  it,  or  if  one  stole  in  with  elaborate  care  and  quiet- 
ness, he  would  start  and  say  a  stealthy  step  was  intoler- 
able to  him.  As  to  breakfast,  the  only  meal  we  ever  had 
with  him  as  children,  it  used  to  be  a  time  of  torture,  for 
if  you  held  your  knife  or  fork  in  a  way  which  did  not 
exactly  meet  his  ideal  way  of  holding  a  knife  and  fork, 
he  made  you  feel  that  you  had  committed  a  crime." 

"  So  there  was  never  much  love  lost  between  you," 
said  Mr.  Marriott,  with  a  smile.  "  Well  it  is  what  I 
feared  would  happen  when  I  last  saw  you.  Did  he  often 
mention  your  father's  name?  " 

"  Hardly  ever,  except  when  some  guest  was  there  who 
was  likely  to  be  impressed  with  his  kindness  in  having 
adopted  a  poor  clergyman's  son,"  said  Ealph,  flushing 
hotly  at  certain  galling  recollections.  "  It  was  never 
until  this  afternoon,  though,  that  he  dared  to  speak  of 
my  father  as  an  unpractical  fool  who  had  left  m.e  a  beg- 
gar, and  to  taunt  me  with  the  high  ideals  which  would 
never  have  kept  me  from  starving." 

"  And  did  this  lead  to  your  quarrel?  "  said  the  lawyer, 
his  brows  contracting  a  little. 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph,  "  I  replied  that  my  father  was  at 
least  an  honest  man,  and  he  seemed  to  take  that  as  a 
sort  of  personal  affront — I'm  sure  I  don't  know  why. 
He  went  into  a  towering  rage  and  ordered  me  out  of  his 
sight." 

"  He  is  morbidly  sensitive  as  to  his  reputation,"  said 
Mr.  Marriott,  "  and  no  doubt  he  thought  you  knew 
something  to  his  disadvantage.  Did  it  ever  occur  to 
you  as  strange  that  he  should  have  adopted  you?  " 

"  At  first  I  thought  it  was  because  he  had  really  cared 
for  my  father  and  because  he  was  my  godfather,  but  be- 
fore long  I  began  to  think  it  was  chiefly  as  a  sort  of  tell- 
ing advertisement,"  said  Ealph,  with  a  touch  of  bitter- 
ness in  his  tone. 


WAYFARING  MEN  69 

"  All  three  notions  were  probably  right,"  said  the 
lawyer,  "but  there  was  yet  another  reason  of  which  I 
can  tell  you  something.  On  the  day  we  reached  Whin- 
haven  and  began  to  look  through  your  father's  papers, 
one  of  the  very  first  things  I  came  across  in  his  blotting- 
book  was  the  rough  draft  of  a  letter  with  a  blank  for 
the  name  in  the  first  line.  Seeing  tlrnt  it  bore  reference 
to  the  unlucky  investment  he  had  made,  I  glanced 
through  it.  It  bitterly  reproached  the  man  he  was  wri- 
ting to,  for  having  recommended  him  to  place  his  money 
in  the  company  which  had  just  gone  into  liquidation, 
and  alluded  to  assurances  that  had  been  given  him  of 
this  friend's  close  knowledge  of  all  the  details,  and  com- 
plete confidence  in  the  safety  of  the  company.  I  recol- 
lect that  one  sentence  referred  to  you,  and  your  father 
said,  '  Should  this  illness  of  mine  prove  fatal,  I  look  to 
you,  as  Ealph's  godfather,  to  do  what  you  can  for  him, 
for  it  was  in  consequence  of  your  advice  that  I  made  this 
unfortunate  speculation.' " 

Ealph  started  to  his  feet.  "  It  was  Sir  Matthew  then 
who  ruined  him! " 

"  Well,"  said  the  lawyer,  "  on  reading  that  I  looked 
up  and  casually  asked  him  if  he  knew  who  your  god- 
fathers were,  he  replied  that  he  was  one,  and  that  to  the 
best  of  his  recollection,  the  other  had  been  a  distant 
kinsman  of  your  father's,  a  certain  Sir  Eichard  Den- 
mead,  who  had  died  a  few  years  before.  Then,  without 
further  comment,  I  handed  him  the  letter,  remarking 
that  of  course,  I  had  no  idea  on  reading  it  that  it  bore 
reference  to  himself.  He  was  naturally  annoyed  and 
upset,  but  was  obliged  to  own  that  it  was  the  draft  of 
the  letter  he  had  received.  He  was  doing  what  he  could 
to  justify  himself  when  you  came  into  the  room,  and 
what  passed  after  that  you  no  doubt  remember." 

"  I  remember,"  said  Ealph,  "  that  he  patronised  me — 
he — ^my  father's  murderer.     The  word  is  not  a  bit  too 


70  WAYFARING  MEN 

strong  for  him.  He  murdered  my  father  just  as  truly 
as  if  he  had  stabbed  him  to  the  heart.  It  was  not  the 
cold  that  killed  him,  it  was  the  misery  and  the  depres- 
sion and  the  anxiety  for  the  future.  And  this  false 
friend  of  his  is  the  man  that  goes  about  opening  bazaars. 
and  posing  as  a  profoundly  religious  man!  Faugh!  It's 
revolting! " 

"  I  have  never  liked  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish,"  said  Mr. 
Marriott,  quietly.  "  It  is  -wonderful  to  me  how  he  im- 
presses people;  there  must  be  some  germ  of  greatness 
in  him  or  he  couldn't  do  it.  I  am  quite  aware  that  the 
discovery  of  the  truth  must  make  you  feel  very  bitterly 
towards  him,  but  if  you  will  take  an  old  man's  advice 
you  will  dwell  upon  the  past  as  little  as  possible.  You 
can  do  no  good  by  thinking  of  the  injury  he  has  done 
you,  and  you  will  have  to  be  very  careful  how  you  speak 
of  him,  or  in  an  angry  moment  you  may  make  yourself 
liable  to  an  action  for  slander;  legally  you  know  a  thing 
may  be  perfectly  true,  but  if  maliciously  uttered  and 
in  a  way  that  injures  another  in  his  calling  it  may  be 
nevertheless  slander.  So  you  must  not  proclaim  your 
wrongs  from  the  housetops.  Now  the  question  is  what 
are  you  to  do  to  support  yourself?  " 

"I  want  to  try  my  luck  on  the  stage,"  said  Ralph. 
"  It  was  my  wish  long  ago,  and  I  believe  that  I  might 
make  something  of  it.  I  shall  never  be  much  good  at 
examinations." 

"It  seems  rather  the  fashion  for  young  fellows  to 
try  it  nowadays,"  said  the  lawyer,  "  but  I  should  think 
the  life  was  a  very  hard  one,  and  like  all  other  callings 
in  this  country  it  is  much  overcrowded.  Still  you  might 
do  worse.  I  will  give  you  a  letter  to  Barry  Sterne;  he 
is  a  client  of  mine  and  might  possibly  be  able  to  help 
you.    At  any  rate  he  would  give  you  his  advice." 

Ralph  caught  at  the  suggestion,  and  when  the  next 
morning  the  Marriotts  started  for  Switzerland  they  loft 
him  in  excellent  spirits. 


WAYFARING  MEN  71 

"  Are  you  quite  sure  you  have  enough  to  live  on  until 
you  get  work,"  asked  the  old  lawyer,  drawing  him  aside 
at  the  last  moment.  "  I  will  gladly  lend  you  some- 
thing." 

"  Thank  you,"  replied  Ralph.  "  But  I  have  enough 
to  live  on  till  the  end  of  September." 

"  And  by  that  time  we  shall  be  in  London  again,"  said 
Mr.  Marriott.  "  Be  sure  you  come  to  see  us  and  let  us 
know  how  you  prosper." 

It  was  not  without  some  trepidation  that  later  in  the 
morning  Ealph  presented  himself  at  the  house  of  Barry 
Sterne,  the  great  actor.  He  sent  in  Mr.  Marriott's  letter 
of  introduction  and  waited  nervously  in  a  small  back 
sitting-room,  the  window  of  which  opened  into  one  of 
those  miniature  ferneries  which  one  associates  with  the 
operating  room  of  a  dentist.  Three  dejected  gold-fish 
swam  aimlessly  up  and  down  the  narrow  tank,  and  the 
ferns  looked  as  if  they  pined  for  country  air.  It  was 
a  relief  when  at  length  he  was  summoned  into  the  ad- 
joining room.  Here  the  sun  was  shining,  and  there  was 
a  general  sense  of  ease  and  comfort,  Barry  Sterne  himself 
harmonising  very  well  with  his  setting,  for  he  was  a 
good-natured  looking  giant  with  a  most  genial  manner, 
and  his  broad,  expansive  face  beamed  in  a  very  kindly 
fashion  on  his  visitor. 

"  I'm  afraid  I  can't  do  anything  for  you,"  he  said, 
but  the  words  carried  no  sting  because  the  tone  was  so 
delightful.  "  I  have  hundreds  of  these  applications,  and 
it's  about  the  most  disagreeable  part  of  my  life  to  be  for 
ever  saying  *  no  '  to  people." 

He  put  a  few  questions  to  him,  all  the  while  observing 
him  attentively  with  his  keen  eyes. 

"  Well,  you  see,"  he  remarked,  leaning  back  easily  in 
his  chair  and  telling  off  the  various  items  on  his  fingers 
as  he  proceeded.  "  Things  seem  to  me  to  stand  like 
this.    You  have  a  good  presence,  a  good  voice,  a  good 


72  WAYFARING  MEN 

manner;  but  you  have  no  experience,  you  have  had  no 
special  preparation,  you  have  no  money,  and  you  have 
no  friends  or  relatives  in  the  profession.  There  are  three 
points  for  you  and  four  against  you.  That  means  that 
you  will  have  a  very  hard  struggle,  and  will  have  to  he 
content  to  take  any  mortal  thing  you  can  get.  Are  you 
prepared  for  that?" 

"I  am  prepared  to  begin  at  the  very  bottom  of  the 
profession  if  only  it  will  give  me  a  real  chance  of  getting 
on,"  said  Ralph. 

"  To  make  a  fool  of  yourself  in  a  pantomime,  for  in- 
stance," said  the  actor,  eyeing  him  keenly.  "  Or  to  walk 
on  and  say  nothing  in  a  piece  that  runs  for  a  couple  of 
hundred  nights?  " 

"  Yes,  I  would  do  it,"  said  Ralph,  thoughtfully.  "  If, 
in  the  meantime,  I  was  really  learning  and  making  some 
way." 

"  Right,"  said  Barry  Sterne.  "  That's  the  way  to  set 
to  work.  But  as  a  rule  a  gentleman  thinks  he  must  step 
into  the  first  ranks  of  the  profession  straight  away, 
which  is  a  confounded  mistake.  I'll  write  you  a  note 
of  introduction  to  Costa,  the  agent.  You  may  thoroughly 
trust  him,  and  he  may  perhaps  be  able  sooner  or  later  to 
put  you  in  the  way  of  something.  I  wish  I  knew  of  any 
opening  for  you.  But  I'm  off  to  America  next  month 
with  Miss  Greville's  Company." 

The  name  instantly  recalled  Macneillie  to  Ralph's 
mind. 

"  When  I  was  a  small  boy,"  he  said,  "  Mr.  Macneillie 
was  once  very  good  to  me.  If  he  were  in  London  still, 
I  might  have  gone  to  him.  Do  you  know  what  has  be- 
come of  him." 

"Hugh  Macneillie?  Why  he  would  be  precisely  the 
man  for  yoH.  He  went  to  America  about  six  years  ago, 
had  a  tremendous  success  over  there,  and  when  he  came 
back  to  England  started  a  travelling  company  of  his  own. 


WAYFARING  MEN  73 

Oh,  Macneillie  is  a  sterling  fellow,  you  couldn't  do  better 
than  try  to  get  in  with  him.  Costa  will  be  able  to  tell 
you  his  whereabouts." 

After  that,  with  a  few  kindly  words  and  good  wishes, 
Kalph  found  himself  dismissed. 

The  day  was  intensely  hot;  however,  he  set  off  at  once 
for  the  agent's,  handed  in  Barry  Sterne's  letter,  was 
sharply  scrutinised  by  Costa's  keen  Jewish  eyes,  and  had 
his  name  entered  upon  the  books,  after  paying  five 
shillings. 

"  You  must  not  be  too  sanguine,"  said  the  agent,  his 
dark  melancholy  face  contrasting  oddly  with  Ralph's 
fresh  colouring,  and  hopeful  eyes.  "  I  have  one  thou- 
sand, nine  hundred  and  ninety  nine  names  down  of  mem- 
bers of  the  profession  who  are  out  of  employment,  or  of 
people  who  seek  to  enter  the  profession.  You  bring  up 
the  total  to  two  thousand." 

Ralph  turned  a  little  pale.  "  Is  it  so  bad  as  that,"  he 
said.    "  Then  I  have  no  chance  at  all  it  seems  to  me." 

He  asked  for  Macneillie's  present  address  and  went 
off  in  very  low  spirits  to  write  his  letter,  pack  up  his 
worldly  goods,  and  take  up  his  quarters  in  the  rooms 
which  Geraghty  had  recommended. 

People  seldom  do  things  well  when  they  are  in  low 
spirits,  and  Ralph,  who  detested  giving  trouble  or  asking 
favours,  wrote  a  stiff,  short  letter  to  Macneillie,  asking 
his  advice  and  inquiring  whether  he  could  possibly  give 
him  a  place  in  his  company.  It  was  precisely  the  sort 
of  letter  which  Macneillie  received  by  the  dozen  from 
stage-struck  youths  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  Had 
he  spoken  of  his  boyish  hero-worship  of  the  actor,  or  of 
their  encounter  at  Richmond,  there  would  have  been  a 
human  touch  about  the  letter  which  would  at  once  have 
appealed  to  the  Scotsman;  he  would  certainly  have  made 
a  special  effort  for  one  so  closely  connected  with  the  most 
tragic  day  of  his  life.    But  Ralph  after  floundering  hope- 


74  WAYFARING  MEN 

Icssly  in  a  sentence  which  alhided  to  the  past,  tore  up 
his  sheet  of  paper  and  wrote  the  bald,  curt  note,  which 
so  ill  conveyed  the  real  state  of  his  case. 

;Macneillie,  wearily  returning  from  a  rehearsal  of  four 
hours'  length,  in  which  his  temper  had  been  severely 
tried,  found  the  missive  in  his  dreary  lodgings  at  a  south- 
coast  watering  place,  hastily  glanced  through  the  con- 
tents and  thrust  the  letter  into  his  letter-clip  among 
other  similar  requests,  about  which  there  was  no  imme- 
diate hurry.  A  fortnight  later  he  wrote  the  following 
short  reply: 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  no  opening  at  present  in  my  company,  and 
if  you  really  intend  to  go  into  the  profession,  and  have 
realised  that  it  demands  incessant  and  most  arduous 
work,  I  should  strongly  advise  you  to  begin  at  the  be- 
ginning of  all  things.  Try  to  get  taken  on  as  a  super  at 
one  of  the  leading  theatres,  where  you  will  have  oppor- 
tunities for  studying  really  great  actors.  Costa  is  a 
trustworthy  agent. 

"  Yours  truly, 

"  Hugh  Macneillie." 

The  letter  chanced  to  arrive  in  Paradise  Street  on  a 
foggy  September  evening  when  Ralph  was  in  particularly 
low  spirits.  He  had  expected  much  from  Macneillie  and 
was  proportionately  disappointed.  It  seemed  almost 
as  if  an  old  friend  had  shut  the  door  in  his  face,  nor  did 
he  quite  realise  that  few  men  as  busy,  and  as  much  tor- 
mented by  importunate  scribblers  as  Macneillie,  would 
have  troubled  to  answer  his  appeal  at  all.  What  was  he 
to  do?  Where  was  he  to  turn  for  work?  And  how  much 
longer  would  Evereld's  money  hold  out?  The  question 
was  more  easily  than  satisfactorily  answered.  It  was 
clearly  impossible  that  he  could  exist  much  longer  in 


WAYFARING  MEN  75 

Paradise  Street,  and  though  its  dingy  room  and  bare, 
scanty  furniture  was  far  from  inviting,  yet  he  had  grown 
fond  of  liis  good-natured  landlord  and  took  a  kindly 
interest  in  the  whole  family  of  Doolans,  with  their  easy, 
happy-go-lucky  ways,  and  strong  sense  of  humour.  Life 
was  lonely  enough  now.  AVhat  would  it  be  if  he  were  al- 
together without  a  home  in  this  great  wilderness  of  Lon- 
don? 


CHAPTER  VIII 

"  A  man  who  habitually  pleases  himself  will  become  con- 
tinually more  selfish  and  sordid,  even  among  the  most  noble 
and  beautiful  conditions  which  nature,  history,  or  art  can 
furnish;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  any  one  who  will  try  each 
day  to  live  for  the  sake  of  others,  will  grow  more  and  more 
gracious  in  thought  and  bearing,  however  dull  and  even 
squalid  may  be  the  outward  circumstances  of  his  soul's 
probation." — Dean  Paget. 

Ralph's  chief  comfort  at  this  time  was  in  a  certain 
free  library  at  no  great  distance  from  his  lodgings.  He 
made  his  way  there  now,  and  for  a  time  lost  the  sense  of 
his  troubles  in  the  world  of  books.  This  evening  he  had 
the  good  fortune  to  light  upon  Stanley  Weyman's 
"  House  of  the  Wolf,"  a  story  which  gave  him  keener 
and  more  healthy  enjoyment  than  he  had  known  for 
many  a  day.  When  he  came  back  to  the  everyday  world 
again  and  set  out  for  his  return  walk  to  Paradise  Street, 
lie  found  that  the  fog  had  very  much  increased  and  it 
was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  could  make  out  his 
way.  As  he  was  groping  cautiously  along  an  almost  de- 
serted street,  he  was  startled  by  the  sound  of  a  shrill, 
childish  voice. 

"  Let  me  go!  Let  me  go! "  it  cried  passionately. 
"  How  dare  you  stop  me?    How  dare  you?  " 

Ralph  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  sound,  until  in  the 
fog  and  darkness,  he  cannoned  against  the  form  of  a  man 
who  turned  angrily  upon  him,  revealing  as  he  did  so,  in 
the  dim  lamplight  which  struggled  through  the  murky 

76 


WAYFARING  MEN  77 

air,  the  evil  face  of  an  old  roue.  Fighting  to  free  herself 
from  him,  like  a  little  wild-cat,  was  the  figure  of  a  mere 
child;  her  vigour  and  agility  were  wonderful  to  behold 
and  it  was  a  task  of  no  great  difliculty  for  Ealpli  to  help 
in  freeing  her  from  the  clutches  of  the  two-legged  brute. 
Spite  of  the  imperfect  light,  the  child  had  been  quick- 
witted enough  to  recognise  the  new  comer  as  a  protector, 
and  she  clung  firmly  to  his  hand  as  they  went  down  the 
foggy  street,  never  pausing  until  all  fear  of  further  mo- 
lestation was  over.  Then,  panting  for  breath,  she 
stopped  for  a  minute  beneath  a  lamp-post,  and  in  the 
little  oasis  of  light,  looked  searchingly  up  into  his  face 
as  though  to  make  quite  sure  what  manner  of  man  he 
was.  He  saw  now  that  &he  must  be  older  than  he  had 
thought;  from  her  height  he  had  fancied  her  about 
eleven  but  he  realised  both  by  her  face  and  her  expres- 
sion, that  she  must  be  at  least  fifteen.  Her  colouring 
was  curiously  like  Evereld's  but  the  face  was  shai-per, 
and  had  a  funny  look  of  assurance  and  knowledge  of  the 
world,  which  was,  nevertheless,  belied  by  the  childish 
curves  of  cheek  and  chin,  and  by  the  nervous  pressure 
with  which  she  still  clasped  his  hand. 

"  I  don't  know  a  bit  what  this  street  is,"  she  said,  with 
tears  in  her  voice,  "  And  if  I  don't  soon  get  home  grand- 
father will  be  dreadfullv  anxious  about  me." 

"Where  is  your  home?"  asked  Ealph,  feeling  curi- 
ously drawn  to  the  forlorn  little  mortal  who  had  crossed 
his  path  so  strangely. 

"  It's  in  Paradise  Street,  Vauxhall,"  said  the  child. 

"  Ah,  that's  lucky! "  said  Ealph.  "  My  rooms  are 
there  too.  What  takes  you  out  at  this  time  of  night? 
It's  not  safe  for  you  to  be  wandering  about  London 
alone." 

"  I  always  do  go  alone,"  said  the  child,  a  little  indig- 
nantly. "  And  no  one  ever  dared  to  bother  me  before. 
One  of  the  dressers  always  walks  with  me  as  far  as  our 


7S  WAYFARING  MEM. 

roads  lie  together,  but  tliis  bit  I  always  do  alone  ever 
since  I  went  to  the  theatre." 

"  Oh  you  are  on  the  stage,"  said  Ralph,  his  interest 
increasing;  "  AVell,  you  are  lucky  to  have  work;  it's  more 
than  I  can  get." 

"  I  used  only  to  dance,"  said  the  child,  eagerly.  "  But 
now  I  have  a  little  part  of  my  own,  but  of  course  you 
won't  know  my  name  yet,  it's  not  much  known.  I  am 
Miss  Ivy  Grant." 

There  was  a  comical  touch  of  pride  and  dignity  in  the 
words.  Ealph's  lip  twitched,  but  he  bowed  gravely  and 
said  he  was  delighted  to  make  her  acquaintance.  Then, 
having  walked  a  little  further,  they  suddenly  realised 
what  road  they  were  in  and  without  much  more  difficulty 
groped  their  way  home  to  Paradise  Street. 

"  I  want  you  to  come  in  and  see  my  grandfather,"  said 
Ivy,  pausing  at  her  door.  "  He  will  be  very  grateful  to 
you  for  having  helped  me." 

Ealph  hesitated.  "  It  is  late  for  me  to  come  in  now," 
he  said. 

"  It  won't  be  late  for  grandfather,  he  never  settles  in 
till  after  midnight.  He  is  half  paralysed.  Please 
come." 

He  couldn't  fmd  it  in  his  heart  to  resist  the  pleading 
little  voice,  and  Ivy  took  him  through  the  narrow  passage 
and  into  the  front  sitting-room,  where  they  found  a  fine 
looking  old  man  whose  flowing,  white  beard  and  many 
coloured  dressing-gown  gave  him  a  sort  of  Eastern  look. 
The  small,  grey,  critical  eyes,  however,  were  not  Eastern 
at  all  and  when  he  spoke  Ralph  fancied  that  he  could 
detect  a  slight  Scotch  accent,  which  together  with  the 
tone  of  voice  made  him  think  somehow  of  Sir  Matthew 
Mactavish. 

He  looked  searchingly  at  the  new  comer,  but  on  Ivy's 
hurried  explanation  held  out  his  hand  cordially,  thank- 
ing him  for  coming  to  the  child's  aid  with  a  warmth 
wliich  was  evidently  genuine. 


WAYFARING  MEN  79 

"  She  has  to  be  breadwinner-in-chief  to  the  establish- 
ment," he  said,  with  a  smile,  "  And  being  a  wise-like 
little  body  seldom  gets  into  difficulties.  Being  a  useless 
old  log  myself  I  should  long  ago  have  been  hewn  down 
and  cast  into  the  Union  had  it  not  been  for  the  Ivy  that 
supported  me." 

"  You  say  those  pretty  things  because  you  know  it  will 
make  me  come  and  kiss  you,"  said  Ivy,  saucily,  as  she 
threw  off  her  cloak  and  hat  and  wreathed  her  arms  about 
the  old  man's  neck.  "  And  now  while  I  get  your  coffee 
ready  you  must  talk  to  Mr.  Denmead,  for  he  wants  work 
at  the  theatre  and  can't  get  it." 

"  Half  a  dozen  years  ago  when  I  was  dramatic  critic 
for  the  Pennon  I  might  have  done  something  for  you," 
said  the  old  man,  wistfully.  "  But  now  I  am  little  but  a 
burden  as  I  told  you.  A  few  pupils  come  to  me  still  for 
lessons  in  elocution,  and  I  have  the  training  of  Ivy  who 
is  going  to  be  a  credit  to  me." 

As  he  spoke  he  glanced  towards  the  little  housewife 
who  with  an  air  of  importance  was  preparing  the  supper. 
Ealpli  thought  he  had  never  before  seen  any  one  move 
with  such  grace,  and  though  her  face  was  lacking  in  the 
simplicity  and  peace  which  characterised  Evereld,  it  was 
a  particularly  winsome  little  face. 

"How  did  you  get  on  to-night  little  one?"  said  the 
old  man. 

"  Very  well,"  said  Ivy  as  she  poured  the  coffee  out  of 
an  ancient  percolator  into  three  earthenware  cups  which 
had  seen  hard  service.  Ralph  observed  that  she  kept  the 
cup  without  a  handle  for  herself,  and  carefully  selected 
him  one  which  was  without  a  chip  on  the  drinking  side 
of  the  rim.  "  But  I  might  easily  have  broken  my  leg," 
she  continued,  cheerfully;  "  for  that  stupid  Jem  had 
forgotten  to  shut  one  of  the  traps  properly,  and  Mr.  Mer- 
rithorne  stumbled  and  hurt  his  ankle  badly." 

"  What  part  does  he  play?  "  said  her  grandfather. 


So  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Oh  he  hasn't  very  much  to  do,  he  is  a  rather  stupid 
footman  and  he  was  bringing  in  the  luncheon  tray  with 
the  property  pie  and  that  old  fowl  which  wants  painting 
again  so  badly,  and  when  he  tripped  up,  the  pie  went 
bowling  down  the  stage,  and  the  fowl  landed  in  Miss 
"West's  lap  and  every  one  roared  with  laughter.  She 
was  dreadfully  angry,  but  afterwards  when  it  seemed 
that  Mr.  Merrithorne  was  really  hurt  she  was  rather  sorry 
for  him." 

"  Who  is  his  understudy?  " 

"  I  don't  know.  It  is  such  a  little  part,  perhaps  he 
hasn't  one.  But  he  was  limping  dreadfully  as  he  went 
away.    I  shouldn't  think  he  could  act  to-morrow." 

"  It's  possible  that  might  give  you  a  chance,"  said  the 
professor  of  elocution.  "  A  stupid,  countrified  man-ser- 
vant you  say,  Ivy?    Are  you  pretty  good  at  dialect?  " 

Ealph  laughed,  for  he  knew  that  he  was  an  adept  at  a 
certain  south  country  dialect,  and  without  more  ado 
stood  up  and  gave  the  Professor  a  short  and  highly 
humourous  dialogue  between  a  ploughman  and  his  boy, 
with  which  he  had  often  made  Evereld  and  her  gover- 
ness laugh. 

"  Good,"  said  the  Professor,  his  grey  eyes  twinkling, 
"  I  think  you'll  do  young  man;  but  come  to  me  to-mor- 
row morning  at  nine  o'clock  and  I'll  give  you  a  few  hints 
about  voice  production." 

Ralph  coloured.  "  You  are  very  good,"  he  said,  "  but 
to  tell  the  truth  I  am  at  my  wit's  end  for  money  and 
much  as  I  would  like  lessons  can't  possibly  afford  them." 

"  Pshaw!  nonsense,"  said  the  Professor,  knitting  his 
brows.  "  I'm  already  in  your  debt,  for  it  might  have 
fared  ill  with  the  child  had  you  not  taken  care  of  her  to- 
night. If  I  can  give  you  a  helping  hand,  nothing  would 
please  me  better.  And  after  the  lesson  you  might  go 
round  with  Ivy,  and  I'll  give  you  an  introduction  to  the 
manager.    He's  a  man  I  knew  well  at  one  time. 


» 


WAYFARING  MEN  8i 

Ralph's  face  liglited  up.  "  I  should  he  very  grateful," 
he  said,  eagerly,  "  for  this  waiting  about  for  work  is 
tedious  enough,  and  I  shall  be  starved  out  before  long." 

He  went  home  much  cheered  and  with  great  expecta- 
tions. The  Professor  interested  him;  there  was  some- 
thing half  mysterious  about  the  white-haired  old  man 
Avhich  puzzled  him  and  piqued  his  curiosity.  He  was 
particularly  benevolent  and  kindly  and  yet  he  seemed  as 
unpractical  as  a  mere  visionary,  and  was  surely  to  blame 
in  letting  a  child  like  Ivy  go  to  and  from  the  theatre 
each  night  alone. 

Clearly  the  granddaughter  was  manager-in-chief  as 
well  as  breadwinner,  and  as  he  thought  of  her  winsome 
little  face  with  its  shrewd,  light-blue  eyes,  slightly 
retrousse  nose,  and  small,  firm  mouth  he  felt  a  keen  de- 
sire to  see  more  of  her.  She  was  so  quaint  in  her  brisk, 
housewifely  arrangements,  so  deft  and  clever  in  all  her 
ways;  a  little  conscious  at  times,  and  quite  capable  of 
posing  for  effect,  but  lovable  in  spite  of  that. 

"  I  could  soon  laugh  her  out  of  those  little  affecta- 
tions," he  thought  to  himself.  "  And  there  is  such  a 
look  of  Evereld  about  her  that  she  must  at  heart  be  good. 
She  is  very  clever,  possibly  she  is  even  cunning,  and  she 
has  extraordinary  tact — almost  too  much  for  such  a 
child." 

He  went  to  sleep  and  was  haunted  all  night  by  that 
funny,  pathetic,  little  face  of  the  child  actress.  To- 
gether they  fled  from  a  thousand  perils,  and  when  next 
morning  he  saw  her  again  face  to  face,  it  seemed  to  him 
that  they  were  quite  old  companions. 

"  Good  day,"  said  the  Professor  in  his  bland,  pleasant 
voice  as  Ralph  was  ushered  into  the  dreary  little  room. 
"  Sit  down  for  a  minute,  I  have  not  yet  finished  with  my 
other  pupil.  Now  sir!  don't  mumble  like  a  bee  in  a 
bottle.  You  know  well  enough  how  to  get  the  clear 
shock  of  the  glottis  and  that's  the  secret  of  voice  produc- 


82  WAYFARING  MEN 

tion.  You  have  the  voice  and  the  lungs  and  the  know- 
ledge of  the  method,  but  you  are  lazy,  incorrigibly 
lazy!" 

The  young  man  crimsoned  and  with  an  effort  burst 
out  with  one  of  Prospero's  speeches: 

"  I  pray  thee,  mark  me. 
I,  thus  neglecting  worldly  ends,  all  dedicated 
To  closeness  and  the  bettering  of  my  mind 
With  that  which,  but  by  being  so  retired. 
O'er  prized  all  popular  rate,  in  my  false  brother 
Awaked  an  evil  nature." 

There  he  was  arrested;  for  the  Professor  thundered 
on  the  floor  with  his  walking  stick,  looking  as  if  he 
would  much  have  enjoyed  laying  it  about  the  victim's 
shoulders. 

His  scathing  sarcasms,  his  merciless  interruptions, 
his  sharp  criticism,  would  have  tried  the  patience  of  Job 
himself,  but  his  unfortunate  pupil  struggled  on  and 
really  improved  marvellously, while  Ralph  sat  an  obser- 
vant spectator,  learning  not  a  little  from  all  that  went 
on.  At  the  close  of  the  instruction  the  old  man's  se- 
renity of  manner  returned — he  even  praised  the  youth 
he  had  so  violently  abused  but  a  minute  before.  The 
reason  of  this  soon  transpired;  he  needed  his  help  with 
the  next  pupil.  "You  are  not  pressed  for  time?"  he 
asked,  with  a  smile.  "  Then  I  shall  be  much  obliged  if 
you  will  kindly  help  my  new  pupil,  Mr.  Denmead,  with 
the  first  exercise." 

The  victim  glanced  somewhat  anxiously  at  the  clock, 
but  the  Professor  was  evidently  an  autocrat,  and  it  would 
have  been  easier  to  refuse  a  request  made  by  the  Czar 
himself, 

"  You  will  lie  at  full  length  on  the  floor,"  said  the 
Professor,  with  a  lordly  wave  of  the  hand  towards  Ralph. 
"  My  pupil,  Mr.  Bourne,  will  then  kneel  on  your  chest. 


WAYFARING  MEN  83 

and  you  will  in  this  position  practise  the  art  of  breath- 
ing." 

lialph  obeyed,  not  without  a  strong  sense  of  the  ab- 
surdity of  the  whole  scene.  Could  Sir  Matthew  Mac- 
tavish  have  seen  him  at  that  moment,  lying  on  the  bare 
boards  of  a  dingy  lodging-house  in  Vauxhall,  with  a 
young  reciter  of  no  mean  weight  kneeling  on  his  chest, 
with  a  paralytic  and  mysterious  old  sage  roaring  and 
shouting  instructions  and  beating  impatient  tattoos  with 
his  stick  at  intervals,  while  a  pretty  young  girl  sat  by  the 
window  covering  stage  shoes  with  cheap  pink  satin,  how 
amazed  he  would  have  been. 

This  was  certainly  beginning  at  the  beginning  of  all 
things.  By  eleven  o'clock  that  morning  he  was  for  the 
first  time  in  his  life  entering  the  stage  door  of  a  theatre, 
— it  was  one  of  the  outlying  suburban  houses  at  which 
there  was  a  stock  company  and  a  frequent  change  of 
plays, — while  Ivy,  with  her  funny  little  air  of  impor- 
tance, showed  him  all  that  she  thought  would  interest 
him. 

The  manager,  a  somewhat  harassed  looking  man,  took 
the  Professor's  note,  read  it  hurriedly,  and  glanced 
keenly  at  Ralph. 

"  Does  Mr.  Merritliorne  act  to-night? "  asked  Ivy, 
anxiously. 

"  'No,  my  dear;  he  won't  be  fit  to  go  on  again  for  a 
month  at  least.  I  understand,  Mr.  Denmead,  that  you 
are  a  pupil  of  Professor  Grant." 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph,  "  but  I  am  quite  a  novice." 

"  H'm,"  said  the  manager,  taking  a  long  look  at  him. 
"  You're  positively  the  first  man  that  ever  made  that 
confession  to  me.  I've  a  mind  to  try  you.  Come  with 
me,  and  I  will  give  you  the  part.  You  can  read  it  at  re- 
hearsal if  you  haven't  time  to  learn  it." 

Ivy  beamed  with  delight  when  he  returned  to  her. 

"  The  manager  was  just  in  his  very  best  temper,"  she 


84  WAYFARING  MEN 

said,  happily.  "  Come  to  this  quiet  corner,  and  I'll  see 
that  no  one  interrupts  you." 

The  part  was  short  and  simple,  and  Ealph,  who  had  an 
excellent  memory,  learnt  it  easily  enough.  But  when  it 
came  to  rehearsing  his  scenes  in  the  dreary  vastness  of 
the  empty  theatre  amid  distant  sounds  of  hammering 
and  scrubbing,  and  the  perfectly  audible  comments  of 
his  fellow  actors,  he  felt  in  despair;  there  was  no  getting 
inside  the  character,  he  could  only  feel  himself  Ealph 
Denmead,  in  uncomfortable  circumstances,  and  breath- 
ing a  curious  atmosphere  of  hostility.  He  went  home 
feeling  nervous  and  miserable,  but  Ivy's  talk  helped  to 
amuse  him,  and  distract  his  attention. 

"  They  will  like  you  when  they  get  used  to  you,"  she 
said,  philosophically.  "  But  some  of  them  think  you  are 
just  a  wealthy  amateur,  and  that  you  have  paid  for  the 
chance  of  appearing  in  public.  We  all  hate  that  kind 
of  man.  Some  others  say  you  are  an  Oxonian  wanting 
a  little  amusement  during  the  long  vacation,  and  that 
you  will  be  going  back  to  the  University  next  month. 
And  Miss  West  thinks  you  are  a  disguised  nobleman." 

"  Well,  then,  they're  all  of  them  wrong,"  said  Ealph, 
obliged  to  laugh  in  spite  of  himself.  "  I'm  not  a  dis- 
guised duke,  nor  even  a  marquis,  but  just  plain  Ealph 
Denmead,  with  very  few  coins  in  his  pocket,  and  not 
a  single  relation  or  rich  friend  to  help  him." 

When  the  evening  came,  Ealph  found  that  the  flatness 
and  coldness  of  the  morning  had  entirely  passed;  every 
one  seemed  in  better  spirits,  and  the  two  men  who  shared 
his  dressing-room  were  friendly  enough  directly  they 
found  he  was  a  genuine  worker,  not  a  mere  dilettante. 

A  youngster  who  was  neither  conceited  nor  grasping, 
but  was  content  to  begin  with  a  very  small  part,  and  a 
still  smaller  salary,  was  quite  a  phenomenon,  and,  as 
usual,  Ealph's  good  humour  and  common-sense,  together 


WAYFARING  MEN  85 

with  his  readiness  to  see  fun  in  everything,  stood  him  in 
good  stead. 

When  the  hist  awful  moment  arrived,  and  he  stood  at 
tlie  wings  in  his  gorgeous  Hvery  of  drab  and  scarlet,  with 
powdered  hair  and  knee-breeches,  he  found  that  the 
atmosphere  of  hostility  which  he  had  felt  so  oppressive 
at  rehearsal  was  entirely  gone. 

"  Good  luck  to  you!  "  said  the  heavy  man,  laying  a 
fatherly  hand  on  his  shoulder.  "  Never  fear;  you'll  do 
well  enough." 

And  with  these  words  to  hearten  him,  he  took  that 
first  desperate  plunge  into  the  icy-'cold  waters  of  pub- 
licity. 

Ivy's  face  beamed  upon  him  as  he  returned. 

"  That  applause  was  for  you,"  she  said,  rapturously, 
"  and  they  don't  generally  laugh  nearly  as  much  after 
that  blunder  with  the  luncheon  table." 

"  But  I  see  where  I  might  improve  it,"  said  Ealph, 
thoughtfully.  And  truly  enough  he  did  improve  each 
night  he  played  the  servant  and  other  small  parts. 

Then,  at  the  end  of  a  month,  Merrithorne's  ankle  re- 
covered, he  returned  to  the  theatre,  and  Ealph  once  more 
found  himself  out  of  work. 

What  was  his  next  step  to  be? 


CHAPTER  IX 

"  If  I  were  loved,  as  I  desire  to  be, 

What  is  there  in  the  great  sphere  of  the  earth. 
And  range  of  evil  between  death  and  birth, 
That  I  shall  fear,  if  I  were  loved  by  thee?  " 

Tennyson. 

"  If  yer  plase,  yer  honour,  Mr,  Geraghty  is  below,  and 
would  like  to  see  yer  honour  if  its  convaniant/'  said  little 
Nora  Doolan,  thrusting  her  untidy  head  into  the  cheer- 
less back  room  in  Paradise  Street. 

Ralph,  who  was  pacing  to  and  fro  learning  a  part  in 
a  Shakesperian  play  which  he  was  little  likely  to  act 
as  )'et,  glanced  round  with  brightening  face. 

"  What?  Dear  old  Geraghty!  "  he  exclaimed.  "  I'm 
glad  he  has  looked  me  up.  Show  him  upstairs  Nora, 
for  I  should  like  to  have  a  talk  with  him." 

The  old  man-servant  responded  with  alacrity  to  the 
warm  welcome  he  received. 

"It's  delighted  I  am  to  see  you  again,  Mr.  Ralph," 
he  exclaimed,  looking  him  over  with  an  air  of  satisfac- 
tion as  though  he  had  some  share  in  his  well-being. 
"  And  it's  in  good  health  that  you  are  looking,  sir,  and 
no  mistake." 

"Nothing  like  hard  work,  Geraghty,  for  keeping  a 
man  well,"  said  Ralph.  "  And  I  hope  I'm  settled  now 
for  some  time  to  come.  You  can  tell  Miss  Evereld  that 
I'm  at  the  very  theatre  we  so  often  used  to  go  to,  and 
that  I  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Washington  act  every 


night." 


86 


WAYFARING  MEN  87 

"  I'm  glad  to  hear  it,  sir,"  said  Geraghty.  "  We  all 
knew  long  ago,  sir,  that  you'd  make  a  first-class  actor; 
it  took  but  a  little  small  bit  of  discrimination  to  see  that 
much." 

Ralph  laughed.  "Well,  Geraghty,  you  mustn't  run 
away  with  the  notion  that  I'm  a  star,  for,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  I  am  nothing  but  a  super  at  a  pound  a  week.  But 
it's  better  to  begin  at  the  beginning  in  a  good  theatre 
than  to  be  cock-of-the-walk  in  a  fifth-rate  one." 

"To  be  sure,  sir,  it's  just  what  I  was  saying  but  now 
to  my  sister  about  placing  her  eldest  girl.  '  Never  mind 
how  little  she  earns  the  first  year  or  two,'  said  I,  '  but 
for  heaven's  sake  place  her  in  a  gentleman's  family,  and 
don't  let  her  demean  herself  by  takin'  service  with  them 
that  hasn't  an  ounce  of  breeding  to  bless  themselves 
with.  Let  her  be  kitchen  or  scullery-maid  or  what  you 
will,  but  have  her  with  gentry.' " 

"  Geraghty,"  said  Ralph,  with  a  mischievous  smile, 
"  You  have  such  a  respect  for  birtli  that  it's  my  firm 
conviction  you'll  be  the  last  and  most  staunch  supporter 
left  to  the  House  of  Lords." 

Geraghty  laughed  all  over  his  face,  and  his  broad 
shoulders  shook. 

"  I've  seen  just  a  little  too  much  of  the  aristocracy 
to  pin  my  faith  to  them,  sir.  Handsome  is  as  handsome 
does,  and  gentle  is  as  gentle  does.  But  from  the  House 
of  Lords  and  their  marrin'  and  muddlin' — Good  Lord 
deliver  us! " 

Ralph  who  had  purposely  provoked  this  tirade  from 
the  Irishman,  laughed  and  changed  the  subject  by  an 
inquiry  after  Evereld. 

"  Well,  thank  God,  she's  getting  on  finely,  sir.  Seems 
as  if  there  was  a  special  Providence  over  orphans,  and 
Bridget  she  says  why  that's  natural  enough,  that  their 
parents  can  see  better  how  to  guide  them  bein'  higher 
up  so  to  speak.    But,  however  that  may  be,  at  first  we 


88  WAY  FARING  MEN 

all  thought  she'd  fret  her  heart  out  with  missin'  you,  sir. 
But  in  September,  Bridget  took  her  down  to  the  school 
at  Southbourne,  and  though  she  was  a  bit  faint-hearted 
at  the  notion,  she'd  no  sooner  set  eyes  on  the  place  than 
she  was  sure  she'd  be  happy  there.  Bridget  says  it's  the 
most  beautiful  house  and  garden  you  ever  saw,  and  all 
so  comfortable  and  homelike  in  spite  of  the  size.  And 
Miss  Evereld  writes  that  she's  as  happy  as  the  day  is 
long,  and  that  they're  teaching  her  how  to  nurse  sick 
folks,  and  that  she's  learnt  to  darn  her  own  stockin's — 
a  thing  she  never  got  a  chance  o'  doin'  at  home — and  to 
dance  the  minuet,  and  to  do  algebra,  and  I  don't  know 
what  beside.  But,  from  what  Bridget  told  me,  I  fore- 
gathered that  it  wasn't  a  school  where  they  cram  them 
like  turkeys  for  Christmas  or  geese  for  a  Michaelmas  fair, 
but  just  a  home  on  a  large  scale  for  turnin'  out  well- 
mannered  young  gentlewomen  who'll  have  a  ver}'  good 
notion  how  to  manage  a  home  on  a  smaller  scale." 

When  the  old  Butler  had  gone,  Ralph  fell  into  a  reve- 
rie. The  effect  of  hearing  all  about  Evereld  had  been 
to  make  him  long  very  im}>atiently  for  the  end  of  their 
separation.  It  was  true  that  when  she  returned  to  the 
Mactavishes  at  Christmas  he  could  write  to  her  without 
any  breach  of  regulations,  but  there  seemed  no  chance 
of  their  meeting,  and  he  greatly  missed  his  old  compan- 
ion. He  began  to  weave  all  manner  of  visions  of  future 
success,  and  to  imagine  that  in  aJi  incredibly  short  space 
of  time  he  had  gained  quite  a  high  position  at  Washing- 
ton's theatre,  that  he  met  Evereld  in  society,  and  that  Sir 
Matthew,  who  always  paid  homage  to  the  successful,  be- 
came quite  friendly  and  cordial  to  him.  How  strange 
it  would  be  to  be  invited  as  a  distinguished  guest  to  the 
very  house  in  Queen  Anne's  Gate  where  he  had  been 
snubbed  and  scolded  as  a  boy. 

It  was  with  something  of  a  shock  that  he  came  back 
to  the  prosaic  present  and  found  himself  merely  a  super 


WAYFARING  MEN  89 

about  to  go  through,  for  the  fiftieth  time,  the  wearisome 
business  which  was  his  allotted  share  in  a  play  which  was 
likely  to  run  for  many  months  more. 

It  was  just  at  Christmas  that  he  was  confronted  by 
one  of  those  decisions  that  form  the  chief  difhculty  of  an 
actor's  career.  To  seize  the  right  opportunity  of  promo- 
tion, yet  to  avoid  "  Raw  haste,  half-sister  to  delay  ";  to 
have  precisely  that  right  judgment  which  often  deter- 
mines the  success  or  failure  of  a  life,  is  hard  to  all  mor- 
tals, but  hardest  to  those  of  the  artistic  temperament. 
The  temptation  to  escape  from  the  monotony  of  his 
present  work  came  to  him  through  the  Professor's  grand- 
daughter. 

To  little  Ivy  Grant  he  had  from  the  very  first  seemed 
a  full  fledged  hero.  He  was  the  first  man  she  had 
ever  looked  up  to,  for  although  devoted  to  her  old  grand- 
father it  was  not  easy  to  respect  the  Professor.  He 
seemed,  to  shrewd  little  Ivy,  a  very  weak  old  man,  and 
she  despised  the  weak,  not  understanding  at  all  that 
habit  of  making  large  allowance  for  human  infirmity 
which  grows  with  the  growing  years.  The  old  man  was 
a  confirmed  opium  eater.  The  habit,  begun  in  a  time 
of  physical  pain  and  great  mental  worry,  had  now  bound 
him  fast  in  its  cruel  chains,  and  the  kindly  benevolence 
which  had  struck  Ralph  at  first  sight  as  so  strange  a  con- 
trast with  his  blameworthy  neglect  of  Ivy's  safety,  was 
all  due  to  the  influence  of  the  drug.  His  will  was  now  not 
in  the  least  his  own,  and  though  he  had  his  moments 
of  exquisite  exaltation  he  had  always  to  pay  for  them 
by  times  of  black  depression  and  misery.  Under  these 
circumstances  the  child's  life  could  hardly  be  a  happy 
one;  she  was,  moreover,  scarcely  strong  enough  for  the 
late  hours  and  the  exposure  to  all  sorts  of  weather  which 
her  work  entailed,  and  in  spite  of  her  brisk,  managing 
ways  she  began  to  crave  for  something  more  strong  and 
trustworthy  to  support  her  than  her  grandfather  whose 


90  WAYFARING  MEN 

simile  of  the  lifeless  trunk  of  the  tree  kept  up  by  the  ivy 
supporting  it,  had  been  singularly  near  the  truth. 

When  Ealph  no  longer  played  at  the  same  theatre,  and 
their  meetings  became  less  frequent,  the  little  girl 
flagged  and  lost  heart.  She  had  good  impulses  but  she 
was  easily  led,  and  her  friendship  with  Ralph  had  filled 
her  with  a  sense  of  dissatisfaction  with  her  own  life,  and 
the  lives  that  most  nearly  touched  her  own.  Her  busy 
little  brain  began  to  form  eager  plans  for  the  future, 
and  at  last  fate  put  in  her  way  a  chance  which  revived 
her  drooping  spirits,  and  lighted  up  her  blue  eyes  with 
hope.  Her  good  news  arrived  on  Christmas  day,  other- 
wise the  festival  would  have  been  cheerless  enough,  for 
the  old  Professor  had  slept  in  his  invalid  chair  the  whole 
of  the  morning,  and  Ivy,  sitting  in  solitary  state  beside 
the  fire,  had  eaten  a  sober  little  Christmas  dinner  con- 
sisting of  a  slice  of  cold  meat  and  a  mince-pie  kindly 
given  to  her  by  the  landlady.  Then  having  tidied  the 
bare  little  room,  and  stuck  a  solitary  piece  of  holly  in  the 
window  that  people  might  see  she  was  "  keeping  Christ- 
mas "  properly,  she  returned  to  her  place  on  the  hearth- 
rug, and  tried  to  become  interested  in  a  penny  novelette 
which  should  have  been  exciting,  but  somehow  failed  to 
touch  her, 

"  Stupid  thing!  "  she  exclaimed  presently,  throwing 
the  book  to  the  further  end  of  the  room  with  a  little 
petulant  gesture.  "  I  can't  even  cry  when  the  heroine 
dies.  What  is  the  good  of  a  book  if  you  can't  cry  over 
it?" 

Just  then  there  came  a  tap  at  the  door,  and  in  walked 
Ralph  with  his  cheerful  face,  and  in  his  hands  was  a 
great  bunch  of  ivy  and  mistletoe. 

"  A  happy  Christmas  to  you,"  he  said,  taking  her  cold 
little  hand  in  his.  "  How's  the  Professor?  Not  worse  I 
hope?" 

"  He  is  no  worse,"  said  Ivy,  "  but  he  has  been  asleep 


WAYFARING  MEN  91 

all  day,  and  it's  dreadfully  dull.    Where  did  you  get  such 
lovely  evergreens  ?  " 

"  Walked  out  into  the  country  this  morning,  right 
away  beyond  Ilanipstead,  As  for  the  mistletoe,  that's 
a  particular  present  from  Dan  Doolau,  and  I've  just  had 
to  kiss  seven  small  Doolans  beneath  it  before  they  would 
let  me  out  of  the  house.    Now  your  turn  has  come." 

Ivy  laughed  and  protested,  but  was  thrilled  through 
and  through  by  the  kiss,  though  it  was  just  as  matter- 
of-fact  as  that  which  he  had  bestowed  on  Tim  Doolan, 
aged  three.  Her  little,  pale  face  lighted  up  radiantly, 
but  unobservant  Kalph  saw  nothing  of  that,  he  was  be- 
stowing all  his  energies  on  the  decoration  of  the  dreary, 
little  room,  and  crowning  with  ivy  the  portraits  of  sun- 
dry great  actors  and  actresses. 

''  Do  you  think  Mrs.  Siddons  ever  looked  as  stiff  and 
forbidding  as  this?"  he  said,  glancing  round  with  a 
smile,  as  Ivy  held  him  a  laurel  branch  to  put  above  the 
frame. 

"  Yes,"  she  replied,  saucily.  "  She  must  have  looked 
like  that  when  she  said  in  awful  tones,  '  Will  it  wash? ' 
to  the  poor  frightened  shopman  who  was  serving  her." 

"  Ah,  perhaps.  Well,  Ivy,  there  is  no  fear  that  you 
will  ever  strike  terror  into  any  one's  heart." 

"  Who  cares  for  striking  terror  into  people?  "  she  re- 
plied, merrily,  and  as  she  spoke  she  began  to  float  dream- 
ily away  into  an  exquisitely  graceful  skirt-dance;  her 
little,  childish  face  growing  more  and  more  sweet  and 
tranquil  as  she  proceeded. 

Clearly  dancing  was  her  vocation.  Ralph  stood  with 
his  back  to  the  fire  watching  her  perfect  grace:  it  seemed 
to  him  the  very  poetry  of  motion.  And  Ivy  v/as  at  her 
very  best  when  she  was  dancing;  at  other  times  her  ways 
occasionally  jarred  on  him,  her  acting  left  much  to  be 
desired,  and  a  certain  vein  of  silliness  in  her  now  and 
then  awoke  his  contempt,  but  when  dancing  she  seemed 
like  one  inspired;  he  could  only  wonder  and  admire. 


92  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Some  day  you  will  be  our  greatest  English  dancer," 
he  said,  as  once  more  she  settled  down  into  her  nook  be- 
side the  fire. 

"  I  don't  want  to  be  that,"  said  Ivy,  "  English  dancers 
are  never  made  so  much  of  as  foreigners,  and  besides, 
a  dancer's  position  is  not  so  good.  1  mean  to  be  an  ac- 
tress." 

"  It's  a  thousand  pities,"  said  Ralph.  "  Why  do  peo- 
ple always  want  to  do  things  they  can't  do  well." 

Ivy  pouted. 

"  Grandfather  doesn't  wish  me  only  to  dance,"  she 
said.  "  And  besides  I  have  just  heard  of  quite  a  fresh 
opening.  What  would  you  say  to  earning  two  pounds 
a  week?  " 

"  I  should  say  I'm  not  likely  to  do  that  yet  awhile," 
said  Ralph,  philosophically. 

"  But  you  can!  you  can!  "  said  Ivy,  clapping  her  hands 
joyfully.  "  There's  an  opening  for  you  as  w^ell  as  for 
me,  for  I  specially  asked.  It's  a  '  fit  up '  company  and 
we  should  be  wanted  in  February  when  the  pantamime 
is  over." 

"Where?"  asked  Ralph,  looking  incredulous. 

"  For  a  tour  in  Scotland.  A  '  fit  up  '  company  too, 
and  nothing  to  provide  but  just  wigs  and  shoes  and 
tights." 

"  Who  is  the  manager?  " 

"  The  husband  of  the  leading  lady.  His  name  is 
Skoot." 

"  Don't  like  the  name,"  said  Ralph,  laughing. 

"  "Why  what's  in  a  name?  "  said  Ivy.  "  The  poor  man 
didn't  choose  it.  For  my  part  I  think  it  is  better  than 
assuming  some  grand  name  that  doesn't  belong  to  him. 
And  then  his  Christian  name  is  Theophilus." 

But  Ralph  still  laughed. 

"  Worse  and  worse,"  he  said.  "  Theophilus  Skoot  is  a 
detestable  combination.     Dick,  Tom,  or  Harry,  would 


WAYFARING  MEN  93 

have  been  better.  No,  no.  Ivy;  I  tliink  we  liad  better 
stay  where  we  are." 

Ivy  looked  much  disheartened,  and  to  change  the  sub- 
ject Ealph  suggested  that  they  should  go  together  to  the 
x\bbey.  This  pleased  lier,  she  forgot  the  Scotch  tour 
and  only  revelled  in  the  bliss  of  the  present.  To  walk  to 
church  on  Christmas  day  with  her  ideal  man,  to  feel 
the  subtle  influence  of  the  beautiful  Abbey,  the  lights, 
the  music,  the  religious  atmosphere,  seemed  to  her  a  sort 
of  foretaste  of  heaven,  a  slightly  sensuous  heaven  per- 
haps, but  the  highest  she  was  as  yet  capable  of  imagi- 
ning. Ealph  was  not  sorry  to  have  the  child  with  him, 
for  his  Christmas  had  been  lonely  enough.  But  his 
thoughts  wandered  far  away  from  her  during  the  ser- 
vice. He  was  back  again  at  Whinhaven  listening  to  his 
father's  voice,  or  he  was  with  Evereld  and  her  governess 
listening  to  solemn  old  chorales  at  Dresden. 

Presently  a  very  slight  thing  recalled  him  to  his  ac- 
tual surroundings.  The  sermon  was  about  to  begin  and 
some  one  sitting  in  front  of  him  rose  to  go  just  as  the 
text  was  given  out: 

"  And  in  the  fulness  of  time  God  sent " 

He  heard  no  more  for  the  vacant  place  had  revealed  to 
him,  at  a  little  distance  in  front,  a  profile  which  arrested 
his  whole  attention.  Something  in  its  earnest,  absorbed 
expression,  in  its  exquisite  purity,  in  the  listening  look 
of  one  who  is  eager  to  learn,  appealed  to  him  strongly. 
Then  suddenly  his  heart  gave  a  bound,  for  it  was  borne 
in  upon  him  that  he  was  looking  at  Evereld.  Not  the 
Evereld  he  had  left  on  that  summer  day  as  a  playmate 
and  comrade,  but  a  new  Evereld  who  had  developed  into 
a  woman — the  one  woman  in  all  the  world  for  him.  Ht^ 
did  not  wish  the  sermon  ended,  he  could  have  been  al- 
most content  to  sit  on  there  for  ever  just  watching  her; 
that  curious  description  of  heaven  as  a  place 

"  Where  congregations  ne'er  break  up, 
And  fSabbaths  never  end," — 


94        .    -   .  WAYFARING  MEN 

a  notion  which  has  cast  a  gloom  over  so  many  children's 
hearts,  seemed  to  him  in  his  present  mood  after  all  not 
so  impossible. 

When  the  service  was  really  over,  and  tlie  people  be- 
gan to  disperse,  he  was  in  a  fever  lest  he  should  be  unable 
to  reach  her,  and  it  was  not  until  he  had  discovered  that 
Bridget  was  her  companion  that  he  could  feel  at  all  se- 
cure of  any  real  talk  with  her. 

Ivy,  quite  unconscious  of  all  this,  wondered  a  little 
when  he  paused  in  the  nave;  but  she  did  not  at  all  object 
to  standing  there  with  him,  looking  into  the  dim  beauty 
of  the  stately  building,  and  with  a  proud  little  conscious- 
ness that  many  people  glanced  at  them  as  they  passed 
by.  It  was  so  nice,  she  reflected,  to  go  to  church  with  a 
man  like  Ealph,  a  man  wholly  unlike  any  other  she  had 
yet  come  across  in  her  short  and  rather  dreary  life. 

Meanwhile,  Evereld  was  drawing  nearer.  Ivy  was  just 
admiring  her  dark-green  jacket  and  toque  with  their 
beaver  trimmings,  and  longing  to  have  just  such  a  cos- 
tume herself,  when  she  saw  a  vivid  colour  suffuse  the 
wearer's  face,  her  blue  eyes  shone  radiantly,  her  lips 
smiled  such  a  welcoming  smile  at  Ealph  that  no  words, 
no  hand-clasp,  seemed  necessary.  Side  by  side  they 
passed  together  out  of  the  Abbey,  while  Ivy,  in  blank 
surprise,  followed  in  their  wake. 

"  To  think  that  you  were  there  all  the  time  and  that 
I  never  knew  it,"  said  Evereld,  when  the  greetings  were 
over.  "  Where  is  Bridget?  ITow  surprised  she  will  be. 
Look,  Bridget,  here  is  Mr.  Ralph  come  back." 

"  An'  it's  glad  I  am  to  see  you,  sir.  There'll  be  no 
need,  I'm  thinkin',  to  wish  you  a  happy  Christmas,  for 
I  can  see  by  your  face  that  you've  got  it." 

Ealph  did,  indeed,  seem  to  'be  in  the  seventh  heaven 
of  happiness,  but  as  he  gave  a  cordial  greeting  to  the  old 
servant  he  happened  to  notice  Ivy's  wistful,  little  face, 
and,  with  a  pang  of  reproach  for  having  altogether  for- 


WAYFARING  MEN  95 

gotten  her,  he  took  her  hand  in  his  and  introduced  her 
to  Evereld. 

"  This  is  a  little  friend  of  mine/'  he  said.  "  The 
granddaughter  of  Professor  Grant,  my  elocution  master." 

Evereld  liked  the  look  of  the  little  fairylike  figure, 
but  she  seemed  to  her  the  merest  child,  and  after  a  few 
kindly  words  she  thought  no  more  of  her,  being  na- 
turally absorbed  in  Ealph  and  having  so  much  to  say  to 
him  after  their  long  separation. 

Ivy,  with  a  sigh,  dropped  behind  with  Bridget,  who, 
in  her  motherly  fashion,  took  her  under  her  special  pro- 
tection as  they  crossed  the  wide  road  near  the  Aquarium, 
little  guessing  that  tliis  small  person  was  well  used  to 
going  about  London  quite  alon^  at  all  hours. 

"  And  how  are  things  going  at  Queen  Anne's  Gate?  " 
asked  Ralph,  when  Evereld  had  told  him  all  about  her 
life  at  Southbourne. 

"  It's  so  dull  I  hardly  know  how  to  bear  it,"  said  Ev- 
ereld. "  You  see,  I'm  too  big  now  for  children's  parties, 
and,  of  course,  I'm  not  out  yet.  I  miss  you  all  day  long, 
and  no  one  so  much  as  speaks  of  you,  except  now  and 
then  Mr.  Bruce  Wylie,  and  he  always  did  Hke  you." 

"  Not  he,"  said  Ralph,  "  He  made  believe,  though, 
for  the  sake  of  pleasing  you." 

"  I  see  that  you  have  not  lost  your  way  of  thinking  evil 
of  people,"  said  Evereld,  reproachfully.  "Mr,  Wylie 
is  the  kindest  man  I  know." 

"  But  you  don't  know  him,"  said  Ralph.  "  You  mere- 
ly see  him  now  and  then  and  like  his  pleasant  way  of 
talking,  and  find  him  a  relief  from  the  Mactavish  clan." 

"And  how  much  do  you  know  him?"  said  Evereld, 
teasingly. 

"  Not  much,  certainly,"  he  was  constrained  to  own 
with  a  smile,  "  and  it  may  be  jealousy  that  makes  me  de- 
cry him.  Yet,  if  instinct  goes  for  anything,  he  is  a  man 
I  should  never  trust." 


96  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  What!  such  a  frank,  straightforward  sort  of  man  as 
that  ?  "  she  exclaimed,  in  disma3^ 

"  I  know  he's  very  plausible,  I  know  he  has  many  good 
points  even,  but  I  fancy  he  could  persuade  himself  that 
anything  \vas  right  if  only  it  promoted  his  own  ends." 

"  At  any  ra/te,  he  is  the  one  person  who  ever  troubles 
to  inquire  after  you,  and  I  believe  that  is  the  chief  reason 
I  have  for  liking  him." 

Ralph  was  so  well  content  with  this  speech  that  he  let 
the  subject  drop,  and,  as  Evereld  was  eager  to  hear  all 
that  he  had  been  doing  since  they  had  been  separated, 
lie  began  to  give  her  an  amusing  account  of  the  straits 
he  had  been  in  and  the  work  he  had  obtained.  Far  too 
soon  they  reached  Sir  Matthew's  house,  and  were  obliged 
to  part. 

"  You  will  write  when  you  can  ?  "  said  Evereld,  wist- 
fully, as  she  lingered  for  a  moment  on  the  steps  with  her 
hand  in  his.  "  I  don't  think  Sir  Matthew  has  any  right 
to  object,  and  I  shall  want  to  know  what  you  decide 
about  Scotland." 

"  Yes,  you  shall  hear  directly  it  is  decided,"  said  Ealph, 
trying  to  feel  hopeful.  "  I  wish  I  knew  what  would  be 
the  wisest  thing  to  do." 

Then,  with  a  lingering  glance  into  the  sweet  eyes  lifted 
to  his,  he  bade  her  good-bye  and  turned  away. 

"  How  I  wish  I  were  the  Professoi*'s  little  grand- 
daughter," she  thought  to  herself  as  she  glanced  down 
the  dark  road  after  them,  with  a  sick  longing  to  be  going 
too.  And,  had  she  but  known  it,  Ivy  was  at  that  very 
time  thinking  enviously  of  Ralph's  old  friend  and  of  her 
many  advantages. 

Meanwhile  Geraghty  threw  open  the  front  door,  and 
in  the  cheerful  light  that  streamed  through  the  hall 
Evereld  caught  a  vision  of  Sir  Matthew  coming  do^vTl 
the  stairs,  and,  taking  her  courage  in  both  hands,  she 
entered  the  house  and  went  straight  up  to  him. 


CHAPTER  X 

"  Savage  at  heart,  and  false  of  tongue, 
Subtle  with  age,  and  smooth  to  the  young. 
Like  a  snake  in  his  coiling  and  curling." 

T.  Hood. 

"  So  you  have  been  to  the  Abbey?  "  he  said,  smiling 
benevolently  upon  her. 

"  Yes,"  she  replied,  her  blue  eyes  looking  straight  into 
his.  "And  we  have  seen  Ralph.  He  was  there,  too, 
just  behind  us.    He  walked  back  with  us." 

Sir  Matthew  frowned  slightly.  Then,  recollecting 
the  presence  of  the  servants,  he  beckoned  Evereld  to  his 
study. 

"  Come  in  here,  my  dear,"  he  said,  in  his  soft  voice. 
"  You  are  quite  right  to  tell  me  all  so  frankly,  and  it  is 
natural  enough  tliat  you  should  be  pleased  to  meet  your 
old  playfellow.  But  you  must  remember  that  things  are 
not  now  as  they  once  were." 

"  Ralph  and  I  shall  always  be  friends,"  said  Evereld, 
gently,  but  with  a  firmness  which  startled  her  guardian. 
"  Things  are  not  altered  between  us  because  we  don't 
live  under  the  same  roof  now.  How  could  that  alter 
us?" 

"  My  dear,  it  is  for  Lady  Mactavish  and  myself  to  de- 
cide who  shall  or  who  shall  not  be  your  friends,"  he  said, 
with  quiet  decision. 

"  That  may  be,"  said  Evereld,  "  as  far  as  new  friends 
are  concerned,  but  I  cannot  unmake  a  friend  to  order — 
no,  not  even  if  the  Queen  commanded  it." 

97 


98  WAYFARING  MEN 

They  both  smiled  a  little.  Sir  Matthew  paced  the 
room  in  silence. 

"  I  must  not  forbid  her  to  hold  any  communication 
with  him,"  he  reflected,  "  or  let  her  feel  that  I  am  a 
tyi-ant  and  they  a  couple  of  martyrs.  After  all,  she  is  so 
voung  and  simple  and  innocent;  no  mischief  will  come 
of  it." 

"  Has  Ralph  found  work?  "  he  inquired,  not  unkindly. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  "  at  Washington's  theatre;  and  per- 
haps he  is  going  on  a  Scotch  tour." 

"  Good!  "  said  Sir  Matthew,  approvingly.  "  After  all, 
he  has  talent,  and  will  make  himself  a  name  in  time.  His 
best  chance  would  be  to  marry  some  experienced  actress 
older  than  himself.  That  has  answered  very  well  in  one 
or  two  cases.  His  birth  and  education  would  go  for 
something,  and  if  he  plays  his  cards  well  the  stage  may 
make  his  fortune.  By-the-b}',  Bruce  Wylie  is  to  dine 
with  us  to-night.    You  like  him,  do  you  not?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,"  said  Evereld,  "  I  like  him  very  much." 

And  Sir  Matthew,  satisfied  with  the  warmth  of  her 
tone,  dismissed  her  with  a  paternal  kiss,  and  an  injunc- 
tion to  put  on  her  prettiest  gown  in  honour  of  the 
festival. 

Bruce  Wylie  was  certainly  the  most  attractive  and 
amusing  of  the  men  who  visited  the  Maetavishes.  He 
had  the  easy,  comfortable  air  of  an  old  friend,  and  he 
came  and  went  at  all  hours,  yet  never  seemed  to  be  pre- 
sent when  he  was  not  wanted.  His  fair  hair  and  short, 
fair  beard  contrasted  rather  curiously  with  his  dark, 
keen  eyes.  Ho  had  a  brisk,  kindly,  pleasant  manner, 
and  a  particularly  winning  voice.  There  was  about  him, 
too,  a  saving  sense  of  humour,  and  the  rather  heavy 
atmosphere  of  Sir  Matthew's  household  always  seemed 
less  oppressive  when  ho  was  present.  He  wa?;  a  first-rate 
raconteur,  and  Evereld  was  never  tired  of  listening  to 
his  stories. 


WAYFARING  MEN  99 

It  was  all  in  vain  that  slie  tried  to  see  him  with  Ralph's 
eyes.  She  decided  in  her  own  mind  that  his  hard  ex- 
perience of  the  world  had  made  Ralph  somewhat  cynical 
and  distrustful.  He  had  convinced  her  with  regard  to 
Sir  Matthew,  but  to  belief  in  Bruce  Wylie  she  still  clung 
with  all  the  loyalty  of  her  fresh,  innocent  youth. 

And  yet  the  ladies  had  only  left  the  dining-room  a 
few  moments  when  Bruce  Wylie  revealed  a  very  different 
side  of  himself. 

"  Ewart's  little  girl  is  looking  prettier  than  usual  to- 
night," he  remarked,  as  he  picked  out  the  preserved 
apricots  from  a  small  dish  in  front  of  him,  leaving  only 
bitter  oranges  and  citrons  for  those  who  might  come 
after. 

"  Yes,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  Southbourne  has  done 
wonders  for  her.  She  had  better  have  another  six  months 
there." 

"  Was  she  not  eighteen  in  the  autumn?  She  will  want 
to  come  out  next  season." 

"  I  don't  think  it,"  said  Sir  Matthew.  "  She  is  happy 
enough  there,  and  we  shall  do  well  to  keep  her  from  the 
heiress-hunters  till  she  is  safely  betrothed  to  you." 

"  Poor  little  soul!  "  said  Bruce  Wylie,  reflectively. 
"  There  would  be  no  danger  in  letting  her  see  a  little  of 
the  world  first." 

"  We  won't  risk  that,"  said  his  companion.  "  What's 
to  prevent  her  falling  in  love  with  some  young  fellow  and 
refusing  to  look  at  you.  If  she  ever  lost  her  heart,  she 
would  be  the  veriest  little  shrew  to  manage — there  would 
be  no  taming  her.  We  might  prevent  her  marrying  till 
she  was  of  age,  but  you  know  what  revelations  would 
come  about  when  her  affairs  were  looked  into.  No,  no; 
she  must  be  safely  married  to  her  worthy  solicitor,  Bruce 
Wylie..  as  soon  as  possible  after  she  leaves  school." 

Bruce  Wylie  seemed  lost  in  thought.  Sir  Matthew 
watched  him,  half -suspiciously.    They  were  friends  and 


10©  WAYFARING  MEN 

confederate?,  but  the  company  promoter  trusted  no  one 
in  the  workl  implicitly. 

"  You  are  thinking  that  it  is  a  risky  venture,"  he  said, 
quietly,  "  but  under  the  circumstances  it's  far  the  best 
thing  that  can  be  done.  If  the  South  African  affair  goes 
on  as  well  as  it  promises,  her  money  will  be  safe  enough 
in  the  long  run;  and  if  a  smash  comes,  why  her  money 
will  be  gone,  but  our  names  and  reputations  will  be  safe, 
and  no  great  harm  will  come  of  it." 

"  I  was  not  thinking  of  that,"  said  Bruce  Wylie. 
"  There's  another  side  to  the  business,  and  one  can't 
altogether  overlook  it.  I  am  fond  of  the  little  thing, 
and  I  honestly  believe  she  likes  me,  but  if  anything  of 
this  should  ever  leak  out,  if,  after  we  were  married,  her 
suspicions  were  roused,  why  then,  as  you  say,  I  can 
imagine  that  the  taming  process  might  be  difficult.  Spite 
of  her  china-blue  eyes,  there's  a  pretty  spice  of  determi- 
nation in  Ewart's  little  girl." 

"  My  dear  fellow,  you  astonish  me,"  said  Sir  Matthew, 
impatiently.  "  With  enough  on  your  mind  to  burden 
most  men  heavily,  you  can  yet  find  time  to  worry  over 
the  matrimonial  squabbles  that  may  ruffle  your  future 
peace.  When  once  she's  your  wife  you'll  be  able  to  do 
what  you  please  with  her." 

"  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,"  said  Bruce  Wylie.  "  It's 
just  those  little,  gentle  women  with  hardly  a  word  to 
say  for  themselves  who  are  always  astonishing  people 
by  hidden  stores  of  force  and  courage  and  daring  at 
some  critical  moment." 

"  The  only  possible  difficulty  with  Evereld  would  be 
her  friendship  for  TJalph  Denmead,"  said  Sir  Matthew, 
*'  and,  as  ill  luck  will  have  it,  the  fellow  turned  up  again 
to-day." 

"  D him!  "  exclaimed  Bruce  Wylie,     "  How  was 

that?" 

'•'  Saw  her  at  the  Abboy,  and  had  the  audacity  to  walk 


WAYFARING  MEN  loi 

home  with  her.  She  told  me  all  about  it  with  the  ut- 
most frankness,  and  without  so  much  as  a  change  of 
colour.  I  don't  think  there  is  any  mischief  done  yet, 
but  the  less  she  sees  of  him  the  better.  It  seems  that  he 
is  doing  pretty  well  on  the  stage  ;  at  least,  I  gathered  so." 

"  Well,"  said  Bruce  Wylie,  reflectively,  "  it  is  always 
easy  to  set  a  scandal  afloat  about  an  actor,  and  if  she 
seems  losing  her  heart  to  him  that  is  the  line  we  must 
take." 

And  therewith  the  two  friends  fell  to  talking  of  other 
business  arrangements. 


When  Ralph  turned  away  from  the  house  in  Queen 
Anne's  Gate,  the  happy  excitement  of  the  past  hour  sud- 
denly gave  place  to  a  sobering  realisation  of  things  as 
they  were.  He,  Ealph  Denmead,  a  super  at  a  pound  a 
week,  had  had  the  audacity  to  fall  in  love  with  a  girl  of 
whose  fortune  he  had,  indeed,  very  vague  ideas,  but  who 
had  always  been  considered  an  heiress.  That  was  a  situa- 
tion he  liked  very  little,  but  it  was  characteristic  of  him 
that  he  did  not  sink  into  any  very  great  depths  of  depres- 
sion. He  was  not  easily  depressed,  having  been  born  with 
one  of  those  equable  tempers  which  are  as  delightful  as 
they  are  rare.  Then,  too,  his  very  indifference  to  money 
for  its  o^Ti  sake,  the  habit  he  had  inherited  from  his  un- 
worldly father  of  a  positive  dislike  of  all  display  and  a 
contempt  for  all  but  the  simplest  tastes,  came  now  to  his 
aid.  Extremes  meet.  And  the  marriage,  which  would 
have  seemed  a  perfectly  simple  and  desirable  arrange- 
ment to  a  selfish  fortune-hunter,  seemed  also  perfectly 
possible  to  Ealph  with  his  unconventional  way  of  look- 
ing at  things.  He  disliked  her  fortune,  would  gladly 
have  foregone  it  altogether,  but  saw  no  reason  in  the 
world  why  it  should  stand  as  a  barrier  between  them. 
If  she  loved  him  all  would  be  well.    He  hoped  she  did 


102  WAYFARING  MEN 

love  him,  but  was  not  certain.  Only  iu  that  last  quiet 
good-bye  of  hers  something  in  its  very  self-control  had 
given  hira  hope  ;  for  the  first  time  she  seemed  to  shrink 
a  little  from  showing  how  much  she  felt  the  parting. 
She  was  wholly  unlike  the  little  girl  he  had  left  sobbing 
in  the  schoolroom  at  Sir  Matthew's  country  cottage  a 
few  months  before. 

As  he  thought  of  this,  a  sort  of  wild  desire  to  succeed 
in  his  profession,  and  to  succeed  quickly,  took  possession 
of  him.  His  present  position  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder 
seemed  no  longer  tolerable.  Patient  plodding  had  been 
well  enough  earlier  in  the  day,  but  now  the  fiery  im- 
patience of  youth  began  to  get  the  better  of  him. 
He  turned  eagerly  to  Ivy.  They  had  by  this  time 
reached  Westminster  Bridge,  and  the  cold,  fresh  wind 
from  the  river  and  the  wider  view  seemed  in  harmony 
with  his  eager  longing  for  a  fuller,  freer  life,  for  An 
escape  from  the  dull  routine  of  his  present  work. 

"  Tell  me  more  about  this  Scotch  tour "  he  said, 
eagerly.     "  Do  you  think  there  is  really  a  chance  of  our ' 
getting   into   the   company?      Does   your   grandfather 
think  Skoot  a  decent  sort  of  fellow?  " 

"  Oh  yes,"  said  Iv}^,  her  face  lighting  up  radiantly. 
"  Come  and  talk  to  him  about  it.  He  has  seen  both  the 
manager  and  his  wife  :  he  used  to  know  them  long  ago. 
Oh,  do  think  it  over  again.  Just  fancy  how  beautiful  it 
would  be  to  see  Scotland  !  We  would  go  to  Ellen's  Isle 
together  and  see  the  Trossachs!  " 

Ralph  laughed.  "  I  fear  there  are  no  theatres  on  the 
shores  of  Loch  Katrine,"  he  said. 

"  Well,"  said  Ivy,  looking  disappointed,  "  we  should 
at  any  rate  see  mountains,  and  the  travelling  would  be 
such  fun.  I  have  never  been  on  tour  in  my  life,  hardly 
ever  out  of  London  even.  Come  in  and  see  grandfather 
and  talk  about  it." 

Ralph  was  persuaded  to  follow  her  into  the  dreary, 


WAYFARING  MEN  103 

little  house,  and  much  to  Ivy's  satisfaction  her  grand- 
father was  awake  and  seemed  in  excellent  spirits.  He 
was  inclined  to  see  everything  in  the  world  through  rose- 
coloured  spectacles,  and  was  ahout  as  fit  to  advise  any 
one  as  a  baby  of  three  years  old.  But  his  venerable  as- 
pect and  his  smiling  benevolent  face  were,  nevertheless, 
impressive  and  Ralph  listened  eagerly  to  all  that  he  said. 
It  was  quite  true  that  he  had  known  this  manager  and 
his  wife  many  years  ago:  they  were  most  estimable  peo- 
ple. Skoot  himself  had  real  talent,  his  wife  not  much 
more  than  a  pretty  face,  but  they  were  thoroughly  wor- 
thy people  ;  she  was  a  woman  with  whom  he  could  trust 
Ivy,  he  had  never  heard  a  word  against  her.  He  should 
miss  Ivy,  but  the  landlady  would  take  care  of  him  and 
the  experience  and  even  the  change  of  air  would  be  very 
good  for  the  child.  He  strongly  advised  Ralph  to  try 
and  get  into  the  Company,  it  was  a  chance  which  did  not 
occur  every  day.  He  would  give  him  a  letter  of  intro- 
duction and  he  could  see  the  manager  to-morrow. 

At  any  other  time  Ralph  would  have  perceived  that 
the  old  man's  advice  while  he  was  under  the  influence  of 
the  opium  was  worth  nothing  at  all.  But  now  the  bland, 
comfortable  voice  and  hopeful  auguries  weighed  with 
him.  He  accepted  the  offer  of  the  introduction,  and 
the  Professor,  urged  by  Ivy,  who  brought  him  ink  and 
paper  and  put  the  pen  between  his  limp,  lazy  fingers, 
actually  wrote  the  letter.  After  that  Ralph  bade  them 
good-bye,  went  home  to  dress  for  the  evening,  and  then 
set  out  for  the  Marriotts'  house  where  he  had  been  kindly 
invited  to  dine  ;  while  Ivy  went  to  the  dress  rehearsal  of 
the  pantomime.  In  the  evening  he  talked  over  his  pros- 
pects with  Miss  Marriott  and  her  niece,  giving  a  very 
roseate  description  of  the  Scotch  proposal.  The  ladies 
both  advised  him  to  close  with  so  good  an  offer;  Mr.  Mar- 
riott would  not  commit  himself,  only  counselhng  him  to 
be  sure  to  have  his  agreement  drawn  up  iu  a  legal  way, 


I04  WAYFARING  MEN 

and  suggesting  that  he  might  take  the  advice  of  Wash- 
ington. But  this,  as  Kalph  knew,  would  not  be  so  easy; 
for  "Washington  was  a  busy  man  and  though  greatly  be- 
loved by  all  his  employes  had  little  to  do  with  them  per- 
sonally. Moreover  in  his  heart  of  hearts  llalph  knew 
that  the  great  actor  would  counsel  him  to  plod  on  pa- 
tiently, and  every  moment  he  felt  that  this  had  become 
less  possible  to  him. 

The  end  of  it  was  that  he  seized  the  very  first  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  Theophilus  Skoot,  and  finding  him  a 
very  decent-looking  man,  exceedingly  hopeful  as  to  the 
bu.^iness  they  would  do  in  Scotland,  and  quite  willing  to 
come  to  terms,  he  signed  the  agreement  for  a  six  months' 
provincial  tour  for  which  he  was  to  receive  a  salary  of 
two  pounds  a  week,  and  went  back  to  Paradise  Street  in 
excellent  spirits  to  receive  Ivy's  congratulations. 


CHAPTER  XI 

"  We  ought  all  to  count  the  cost  before  we  enter  upon 
any  line  of  conduct,  and  I  would  most  strongly  warn  any 
one  against  the  self-deception  of  fancying  that  he  who 
wishes  to  be  an  ambassador  of  peace  can  do  otherwise  than 
weep  bitterly."— Frederick  De.nison  Maurice. 

During  the  weeks  that  followed,  the  only  thing  which 
marred  Ivy's  complete  happiness  was  a  certain  jealousy 
of  the  bright-faced  girl  they  had  met  at  Westminster 
Abbey  on  Christmas  Day.  She  was  constantly  asking 
Ralph  questions  about  Evereld  Ewart;  at  times  he  seemed 
pleased  to  talk  of  her,  at  other  times  his  face  would  grow 
grave  and  he  would  answer  only  in  monosyllables  in  a 
way  which  perplexed  Ins  small  devotee  not  a  little.  How- 
ever, she  gathered  that  he  did  not  see  any  more  of  his  old 
friend  and  consoled  herself  by  hurrying  off  to  Whiteley's 
sale  to  buy  a  jacket  and  hat  as  much  like  Evereld's  as 
her  purse  would  afford. 

She  wore  them  for  the  first  time  on  the  foggy  Feb- 
ruary morning  when  Ralph  called  for  her  at  her  grand- 
father's rooms  to  take  her  to  King's  Cross.  For  it  had 
been  arranged  that  she  should  travel  with  him  to  Dum- 
fries where  he  was  to  place  her  under  the  special  care  of 
the  manager's  wife.  The  old  Professor  seemed  much  de- 
pressed when  the  parting  actually  came;  he  kept  looking 
at  the  child  with  wistful  eyes  and  slowly  counting  out 
money  for  the  journey  with  a  small,  a  very  small  surplus, 
in  case  of  accidents  as  he  said. 

"  Have  you  kept  enough  for  yourself?  "  asked  Ivy, 

105 


io6  WAYFARING  MEN 

throwing  her  arms  round  his  neck.     "  I  shall  be  away  six 
months  you  know." 

**I  have  enough  to  last  me  a  couple  of  months," 
said  the  old  man,  "  with  what  my  pupils  will  bring  in. 
And  by  that  time  you  will  be  able  to  send  me  a  little. 
You  are  to  have  a  good  salary — a  very  good  salary  and 
no  travelling  expenses  when  once  you're  in  Scotland," 

"  Yes,  yes,"  said  Iv}',  gaily.  "  I  shall  be  as  rich  as  a 
queen  when  I  come  back." 

The  old  man's  eyes  filled  with  tears. 

"  Yes,  when  you  come  back,"  he  said,  huskily,  "  When 
3'ou  come  back.  You  will  do  what  you  can  for  her  if  she 
needs  help  ?  "  he  added,  shaking  hands  tremulously  with 
Ealph. 

"  I  will,  indeed,"  said  Ealph,  heartily;  and  there  was 
something  in  his  look  and  tone  which  satisfied  the  Pro- 
fessor and  robbed  the  parting  of  its  worst  pain. 

Iv}',  too  much  excited  to  feel  the  leave-taking,  sprang 
into  the  cab  with  a  joyous  sense  that  at  last,  like  the  hero- 
ine of  a  fairy  tale,  she  was  setting  out  into  the  world  to 
seek  her  fortune.  It  was  scarcely  right  that  she  should 
be  starting  with  the  fairy  prince  beside  her,  he  ought  to 
have  turned  up  later  in  the  plot  and  just  at  some  critical 
moment.  Still  real  life  could  not  always  be  regulated  by 
the  rules  of  fiction  and  she  reflected  that  it  was  much 
nicer  to  have  him  at  once. 

She  leant  back  in  her  corner  of  the  third-class  car- 
riage, and  thought  what  care  he  had  taken  of  her,  how 
much  more  gentle  his  manner  was  than  the  manner  of 
any  one  else  she  knew,  and  how  blissful  it  would  be  to 
act  with  him  for  six  whole  months.  He  did  not  talk  to 
her  very  much,  being  still  busy  with  his  parts,  but  she 
was  quite  content  with  the  mere  pleasure  of  his  presence 
and  with  the  delightful  novelty  of  her  first  long  journey. 
The  Company  were  to  play  "  Macbeth,"  "  East  Lynnc," 
"Guy  Mannering,"  "  Eob  Roy,"   "The  Man  of  the 


WAYFARING  MEN  107 

World,"  "  Jeannic  Deans,"  and  several  short  plays  such 
as  "  Cramond  Brig,"  a  great  favourite  in  Scotland.  Ivy 
was  not  well  pleased  with  her  parts  in  '•'  Macbeth,"  being 
cast  for  Donal  Bain,  Fleance  and  Macduli's  boy.  But 
she  reflected  that  in  the  first  part  she  would  always  come 
on  with  Raljih  since  he  was  to  play  Malcolm,  as  well  as 
the  part  of  second  witch,  while  later  on  she  should  have 
the  pleasure  of  being  killed  by  him  in  his  character  of 
first  murderer.  I\alpli  seeing  irrepressible  mirth  in  her 
face  asked  what  was  amusing  her. 

"  I  have  to  call  you  '  a  shag-hairod  villain,'  "  she  said, 
laughing  till  the  tears  ran  down  her  face,  "  and  you  have 
to  stab  me  in  the  fourth  act." 

"  We  will  have  a  private  rehearsal  then,  beforehand," 
said  Kalph,  smiling.  "  And  you  will  find  my  red  wig 
very  awe-inspiring,  I  can  tell  you." 

Ivy  looked  pityingly  at  her  fellow-travellers,  wonder- 
ing how  they  endured  their  humdrum  lives,  and  full  of 
radiant  hopes  for  her  own  future. 

The  fogs  of  London  had  soon  given  place  to  bright 
sunshine,  and  it  seemed  to  her  that  she  had  left  behind 
all  that  was  cheerless  and  was  going  forth  into  a  glorious 
world  of  possibilities.  It  was  certainly  a  red-letter  day 
in  her  life's  calendar. 

The  arrival  in  Scotland,  however,  was  not  so  cheerful. 
The  cold  which  they  had  not  greatly  noticed  in  the  rail- 
way carriage,  seemed  bitter  indeed  when  they  left  the 
train  at  Dumfries. 

It  was  nearly  six  o'clock  and  there  was  little  light  left. 
What  there  was,  revealed  snowy  roads  and  slippery  pave- 
ments. Ivy  shivered  and  clung  fast  hold  of  Ralph's 
hand  as  they  made  their  way  to  the  manager's  rooms,  a 
red-headed  porter,  much  resembling  the  shag-haired 
murderer  in  "  Macbeth,"  going  on  before  them  with  a 
luggage  truck.  He  paused  at  a  high  house  in  a  par- 
ticularly dingy  street.  The  door  was  opened  by  a  shrewd. 


io8  WAYFARING  MEN 

hard-featured  woman  who,  upon  Ralph's  inquiry,  told 
them  that  ^Irs.  Skoot  was  in,  and  ushered  them  upstairs 
to  a  room  where  the  remains  of  dinner  still  lingered  on 
the  table,  and  a  large,  portly  lady,  with  blonde  hair  and 
big  cow-like  eyes,  sat  with  her  feet  in  the  fender  reading 
a  novel. 

"  So  there  you  are,  dear,"  she  said,  greeting  Ivy  affec- 
tionately, but  retaining  a  greasy  thumb  in  the  book  to 
keep  her  place.  "  I'm  glad  you've  come,  for  Mr.  Skoot 
has  just  arranged  to  have  an  extra  rehearsal  to-night." 

"  Is  this  Mr.  Denmead?  "  she  inquired,  extending  her 
hand  graciously  and  taking  a  rapid  survey  of  him  from 
head  to  foot.     "  Have  you  found  rooms  yet?  " 

"  No,  I  have  not,"  said  Ralph,  his  low-toned  voice  and 
quiet  manner  contrasting  most  curiously  with  her  loud 
accents.  "  I  was  going  to  ask  you  if  there  is  any  list  of 
lodgings," 

"  To  be  sure,"  she  said.  "  Here  it  is;  you'll  find  those 
all  very  good  and  reasonable.  I've  known  most  of  them 
myself  in  past  years." 

Ralph  thanked  her  and  turned  to  go,  glancing  with 
some  compassion  at  Ivy.  "  I  shall  see  you  again  at  re- 
hearsal," he  said.  "  Mind  you  have  something  to  eat 
first." 

"  Oh,  yes,  I'll  see  to  her,"  said  Mrs.  Skoot,  vocife- 
rously. "  She's  to  board  with  me  you  know,  her  grand- 
father made  me  promise  that.  Half-past  seven  for  the 
rehearsal,  don't  forget.  Your  landlady  will  be  able  to 
direct  you  to  the  theatre." 

"What  an  awful  woman!"  thought  Ralph  to  him- 
self. "  The  Professor  must  be  out  of  his  mind  to  let  Ivy 
be  with  her  for  six  whole  months.  She  may  be  all  that's 
virtuous — but  as  a  constant  companion!  Poor  Ivy!  I 
wonder  how  such  a  decent  little  fellow  as  Skoot  comes  to 
have  such  a  wife!  " 

At  this  point  in  his  reflections  they  reached  the  first 


IV  AY  FAKING  MEN  109 

house  on  his  list,  but  found  the  rooms  ah'catly  secured  by 
other  members  of  the  company.  The  same  result  fol- 
lowed the  next  application,  and  yet  again  the  next. 
He  began  to  grow  tired  of  wandering  about  the  snowy 
streets,  and  catching  sight  of  a  card  in  a  window  an- 
nouncing that  rooms  were  to  be  had,  he  paused  at  a  neat 
but  unpretentious  house  and  once  more  made  his  inquiry. 

A  very  prim-looking  widow  appeared  in  answer  to  his 
knock;  she  seemed  favourably  impressed  with  his  ap- 
jjearance  and  mentioned  her  terms. 

"  That  will  do  very  well.  I  want  the  rooms  for  a 
week,"  said  Ealph,  longing  to  get  into  a  house,  for  ho 
was  half-frozen  and  very  hungry. 

"  I  don't  take  lodgers  that  keep  late  hours,"  said  the 
widow,  cautiously.  "  I  like  to  lock  up  by  half-past  ten, 
sir." 

Ralph  made  an  ejaculation  of  dismay.  "  I'm  afraid 
I  can't  promise  that,"  he  said.  "  I'm  an  actor,  you  see, 
and  am  not  likely  to  be  in  by  that  time." 

The  woman's  whole  face  stiffened,  her  very  cap  seemed 
to  grow  as  rigid  as  buckram,  her  upper  lip  lengthened. 
"  We  only  take  Christ iansheve,"  she  said  in  a  severe  way, 
and  then  without  another  word  she  closed  the  door. 

It  was  the  first  time  he  had  ever  been  made  to  feel 
himself  an  outcast  on  account  of  his  profession,  and  for 
a  minute  the  words,  by  their  injustice,  stung  him.  Then 
his  sense  of  fun  conquered  and  he  laughed  to  himself 
as  he  walked  on  with  bent  head  in  the  teeth  of  the  bitter, 
east  wind. 

Referring  once  again  to  the  list  of  professional  lodg- 
ings, he  consulted  the  porter  who  told  him  which  was 
the  nearest  house,  and  here  he  at  last  got  taken  in,  by  a 
dishevelled  but  smiling  landladv. 

"  There's  Mr.  Dudley,  one  of  Mr.  Skoot's  company,  in 
my  house  now,"  she  said.  "  Maybe  you  could  share  the 
sittins:-room." 


no  IV AY  FARING  MEN 

Ralph  hesitated,  but  without  more  ado  the  woman 
stepped  into  'her  front  parlour  and  put  the  case  to  the 
present  occupant. 

*"  Oh,  by  all  means,"  said  a  hearty  voice;  and  the  door 
was  thrown  back  and  into  the  narrow  passage  stepped  a 
tall,  powerful-looking  man  of  about  forty,  his  large, 
clean-shaven  face,  twinkling  eyes,  and  broad  mouth  full 
of  good  humour.  Ealph  knew  at  a  glance  that  it  was 
not  at  all  a  face  of  high  type,  but  it  was  genial  and  at- 
tractive and  it  contrasted  most  singularly  with  the  for- 
bidding face  of  the  widow  who  only  housed  Christians. 

"  Come  in,  my  boy,"  said  the  hearty  voice;  "  you  look 
half  frozen." 

"  It  was  the  landlady's  proposal,"  said  Ralph.  "  You 
are  sure  you  don't  mind  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure  not!  '  Mine  enemy's  dog,  though  he  had 
bit  me,  should  stand  this  night  against  my  fire.'  Skoot 
was  telling  me  about  yow.  The  little  brute  has  called 
a  special  rehearsal;  you  had  better  look  sharp  and  get 
something  to  eat  for  there's  no  knowing  how  long  they 
will  keep  us  at  it.  The  Skoots  were  always  great  hands 
at  rehearsing." 

"  You  have  travelled  with  them  before?  " 

"  Yes,  many  years  ago,  an-d  there's  not  much  love  lost 
between  us.  Shouldn't  have  taken  this  berth  now,  if  I 
hadn't  been  out  of  an  engagement  for  some  time.  I  have 
my  doubts  if  the  tour  will  be  a  success.  Skoot  is  awfully 
hampered,  vou  see,  by  having  to  run  his  wife  as  leading 
lady." 

Ralph  prudently  forbore  to  make  any  comment,  but 
the  thought  of  acting  with  Mrs.  Skoot  was  a  sort  of 
nightmare  to  him. 

"  Have  the  rest  of  the  company  all  arrived?  "  he  asked. 

"Yes,  T  think  so.  There's  little  Ivy  Grant — she's 
coming  on  very  well  indeed,  devilish  pretty  girl  into 
the  bargain.     Then  there's  Miss  Myra  Kay,  a  brunette. 


WAYFARING  MEN  m 

rather  prudish,  used  to  be  in  Macneillie's  company,  but 
lost  her  health,  and  is  now  only  just  starting  afresh.  As 
for  the  men — well,  you'll  see  for  yourself  by-and-by — 
half  of  them  in  my  opinion  are  sticks,  and  the  other  half 
roaring  ranters.  Ilulloa,  you'll  find  that  a  bad  specula- 
tion. Never  order  coll'ee  in  Great  Britain,  for  they  don't 
know  how  to  make  it.  Take  to  whisky,  my  boy.  It's  the 
only  thing  for  strolling  players." 

"  Thanks,  I  detest  it,''  said  Ralph,  "  and  if  profes- 
sional landladies  don't  understand  coffee-making,  why 
I'll  brew  it  myself  as  we  used  to  do  at  Winchester." 

"  I  thought  you  had  been  at  a  public  school.  What 
made  you  take  up  with  the  stage?  Didn't  your  people 
object?" 

"  I  am  alone  in  the  world,"  said  Ealph.  "  My  guar- 
dian wanted  me  to  be  a  parson,  but  I  couldn't  go  in  for 
that,  and  so,  being  turned  out  of  his  house,  I  thought 
I  would  try  to  realise  an  old  dream  of  mine  and  be  an 
actor." 

Dudley  had  watched  him  keenly  during  this  speech. 
He  was  a  man  who  had  led  a  notoriously  evil  life,  but 
he  had  a  good  deal  of  kindliness  in  his  nature,  and  there 
was  something  in  Ralph's  transparent  honesty,  in  his 
evident  purity  of  heart  and  life  that  appealed  to  him. 
Bad  as  his  o^\ti  record  had  been  he  was  wholly  without 
the  fiendish  desire  to  drag  other  men  down  with  him. 

"  Your  dreams  were  probably  very  unlike  the  reality," 
he  said,  with  a  smile.     "  Are  you  prepared  to  rough  it?  " 

Ralph  laughed,  and  gave  him  the  account  of  the  straits 
he  had  been  reduced  to,  and  Dudley  having  described 
the  merits  and  drawbacks  of  a  provincial  tour  under 
Skoot's  management,  suggested  that  they  had  better  be 
setting  off  for  the  rehearsal. 

They  had  scarcely  opened  the  stage  door  when  Mrs. 
Skoot's  shrill  voice  made  itself  heard.  She  was  vehe- 
mently complaining  about  some  mistake  made  by  the 


ii2  WAYFARING  MEN 

baggage  man,  and  the  poor  harassed  culprit  stood  meekly 
to  receive  her  angry  threats  of  dismissal,  not  daring  to 
proffer  excuse  or  explanation.  Ivy  looking  scared  and 
cold,  stood  not  far  off;  her  whole  face  lighted  up  when 
she  caught  sight  of  Ralph,  and  she  stole  over  to  whisper 
in  his  ear,  "  Isn't  Mrs.  Skoot  dreadful?  " 

"  Suggests  the  queen  in  '  Alice  in  Wonderland,' "  he 
replied,  smiling.    "  Off  with  his  head!  " 

Ivy  was  obliged  to  laugh  a  little. 

"  That  is  Miss  Myra  Kay,"  she  said,  indicating  a  pale, 
slim  girl,  who  was  pacing  to  and  fro,  book  in  hand.  "  I 
think  she  is  very  selfish;  they  say  she  hardly  speaks  to 
any  one,  but  just  takes  care  of  herself  and  is  quite 
wrapped  up  in  her  own  affairs." 

"  Take  care,"  said  Ralph,  warningly;  "  you  may  be 
overheard." 

Dudley  now  introduced  him  to  one  or  two  of  the  ac- 
tors, and  before  long  the  manager  himself  arrived.  He 
seemed  in  good  spirits,  greeted  Ralph  pleasantly,  paci- 
fied his  wife,  and  promptly  set  them  all  to  work. 

Only  too  soon,  however,  they  realised  that  the  length 
of  the  rehearsal  depended  on  Mrs.  Skoot  and  not  on  her 
husband.  Although  it  was  no  business  of  hers  she 
seemed  unable  to  refrain  from  constant  interruption  and 
fault-finding,  and  before  the  evening  was  over  she  had 
reduced  Miss  Kay  to  tears,  had  tormented  poor  Ivy  into 
the  worst  of  tempers  and  had  goaded  most  of  the  men 
into  a  state  of  sullen  wrath. 

At  last,  after  four  hours  of  this,  Mr.  Skoot  looked  at 
his  watch  and  announced  that  it  was  half-past  eleven. 
Time  was  the  only  thing  which  had  ever  been  known  to 
conquer  Mrs.  Skoot;  she  wisely  boAved  to  the  inevitable, 
and  having  reminded  Miss  Kay  that  the  call  was  for 
eleven  on  the  following  morning,  she  allowed  herself  to 
he  helped  into  a  handsome  fur  cloak,  and  telling  Ivy 
to  follow  her,  quitted  the  theatre. 


WAYFARING  MEN  113 

Ealpli  went  back  to  his  rooms  in  low  spirits  and  the 
next  morning  did  not  much  mend  matters,  for  they  were 
kept  rehearsing  from  eleven  in  the  morning  till  five  in 
the  afternoon.  Had  it  not  been  for  Dudley's  unfailing 
good  humour,  his  flashes  of  fun,  and  his  genial  kind- 
liness, Kalph  thought  he  could  not  have  endured  so 
great  a  contrast  to  the  whole  atmosphere  of  Washing- 
ton's theatre. 

He  began  to  feel  a  sort  of  angry  contempt  for  the 
manager  who  seemed  but  a  too'l  in  the  hands  of  'his  wife 
and  was  quite  indifferent  to  the  annoyance  she  gave  to 
others. 

But  in  the  evening  when  "  Macbeth  "  was  given,  when, 
for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  he  had  one  of  Shakspere's 
characters  to  portray,  he  forgot  all  the  previous  misery. 
Into  the  comparatively  small  part  of  Malcolm  he  had 
put  an  amount  of  thought  and  study  and  imagination 
which  surprised  Dudley,  and  the  elder  man,  as  they 
walked  home  together,  spoke  words  of  hearty  commen- 
dation and  encouragement  which  cheered  the  novice's 
heart  as  nothing  else  could  have  done. 

On  the  day  before  they  were  to  leave  Dumfries  for 
Ayr,  it  chanced  that,  being  released  earlier  than  usual 
from  rehearsal,  Ralph  suggested  a  walk  to  Ivy.  It  was 
the  first  chance  they  had  had  for  any  sort  of  relaxation, 
and  Ivy  listened  with  delight  to  the  proposal  of  a  visit 
to  the  grave  of  Burns  and  to  Lincluden  Abbey. 

She  was  not  at  all  pleased  when  as  they  drew  near  to 
the  Bums'  mausoleum  they  caught  sight  of  Myra  Kay. 
As  yet  Ealph  had  made  no  way  at  all  with  this  pale,  dark- 
eyed  girl,  they  had  scarcely  exchanged  a  dozen  words. 
and  her  manner  was  very  reserved  and  distant.  All  that 
he  knew  about  her  was  the  little  he  had  gleaned  from 
the  men  of  the  company.  It  was  reported  that  her  mar- 
riage was  to  take  place  in  the  summer,  and  that  she  was 
engaged  to  an  actor  named  Brinton  who  was  now  in 


114  WAYFARING  MEN 

Macneillie's  Company.  She  had  the  reputation  of  being 
cold,  cautious,  and  conventional,  but  in  comparison  with 
Mrs,  Skoot  she  was  so  delightful  that  Ralph  felt  drawn 
to  her  and  was  chafed  by  a  perfectly  clear  consciousness 
that  for  some  reason  she  disapproved  of  him.  He  was 
pleased  when  she  volunteered  a  few  tepid  remarks  about 
Turnerelli's  sculpture,  and  to  Ivy's  disgust  he  asked  her 
if  she  would  not  join  them  in  their  walk  to  Lincludcn 
Abbey. 

She  hesitated  for  a  moment,  then  with  a  glance  at  his 
open,  boyish  face  seemed  suddenly  to  arrive  at  some 
determination  more  important  than  that  of  the  mere 
decision  to  take  a  walk. 

"  I  will  come  part  of  the  way  with  you,"  she  said. 
"  But  since  my  illness  I  am  not  much  of  a  walker.  It 
is  one  of  the  few  grudges  I  harbour  against  Mr.  Mac- 
neillie." 

"  You  were  in  his  Company?  " 

"  Yes,  and  at  Oxford,  while  playing  in  an  outdoor 
representation  of  '  Midsummer  Night's  Dream,'  got 
soaked  to  the  skin  and  had  to  wear  the  wet  clothes.  The 
rest  of  them  escaped  with  colds  but  I  was  laid  up  for  six 
months.  The  manager  was  extremely  good  to  me  I  must 
sa)'^,  and  in  August  I  hope  to  be  back  again  in  his  Com- 
pany.'* 

"  You  like  him  then  as  a  manager?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed,  there  couldn't  be  a  better.  I  don't 
know  how  I  shall  ever  endure  all  these  months  with  the 
Skoots,  and  had  I  known  that  that  scoundrel  Dudley 
was  to  be  in  the  Company  I  should  never  have  accepted 
the  engagement." 

Ralph  raised  his  eyebrows.  "  That's  a  severe  word," 
he  said. 

"  It's  no  more  than  he  deserves,"  said  Myra  Kay, 
frowning.  "  I  am  astonished  that  you  can  share  rooms 
with  him  and  make  him  your  friend." 


WAYFARING  MEN  115 

"  He  is  very  likely  no  worse  tlian  many  others,"  said 
Ralph,  nettled  by  her  tone. 

"  No  worse!  "  she  said,  scornfully.  "  Is  it  possible 
you  do  not  know  that  he  is  the  wretch  who  figured  in 
the  Houston  case?  You  must  remember  it — the  stir 
was  so  great  and  it  is  not  eighteen  months  ago." 

"  I  was  at  school  eighteen  months  ago  and  never 
troubled  my  head  with  causes  ceUbres." 

Myra  Kay  walked  on  in  silence  for  a  few  moments; 
then  she  briefly  told  him  the  facts  of  the  case  and  was 
pleased  to  see  him  wince. 

"  The  man  has  been  properly  punished,"  she  contin- 
ued,  with  satisfaction,  "  and  now  no  decent  manager 
will  have  him — at  any  rate,  till  the  details  of  the  case 
are  forgotten.  He  is  desperately  haiil  up  for  money, 
and  every  one  cuts  him.  I  hope,  now  that  you  know 
all  this,  you  will  have  no  more  to  say  to  him." 

"  Perhaps  he  has  turned  over  a  new  leaf,"  said  Ralph, 
looking  up  from  the  discoloured  track  where  they  were 
walking  to  the  pure  white  fields  beyond. 

Myra  Kay  gave  a  sarcastic  little  laugh. 

"  You  are  far  too  innocent,  Mr.  Denmead,"  she  said ; 
and  Ralph  thought  there  was  an  unpleasant  touch  of 
patronage  in  her  tone.  "  Does  he  look  as  if  he  wero 
repenting?  " 

"  Men  can't  go  about  dn  sackcloth  and  ashes,"  said 
Ralph;  "  and  you  surely  wouldn't  have  him  cultivate 
a  face  a  yard  long?  It's  his  nature  to  be  full  of  fun, 
and,  for  my  part,  I  would  far  rather  have  to  do  with 
a  man  who  has  been  openly  punished  than  with  a  hypo- 
crite who  sins  with  impunity  and  goes  about  posing  as 
a  philanthropist." 

He  thought  resentfully  of  Sir  Matthew. 

"  I  can't  think  how  you  can  speak  to  him,"  said  MjTa 
Kay  bitterly.  "  For  your  own  sake,  and  for  the  sake 
of  the  profession,  you  ought  to  have  nothing  to  do  with 


1 16  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

liiin.  It  was  not  just  a  common  case  of  wrongdoing — 
it  was  a  specially  atrocious  affair  throughout.  They  say 
you  are  the  son  of  a  clergyman.  I  should  have  thought 
you  would  have  had  better  judgment  than  to  mix  your- 
self up  with  such  a  man." 

''  He  is  precisely  the  sort  of  man  my  father  would 
have  befriended,"  said  Ealph,  warmly.  "  There  was 
nothing  of  the  Pharisee  about  him.  I  remember  how, 
when  all  the  village  cut  a  man  who  had  been  in  prison 
for  some  bad  offence,  he  found  out  the  fellow's  one  vul- 
nerable point — a  love  of  flowers — and  had  him  up  with 
us  at  the  Eectory  the  whole  of  one  Bank-holiday,  potter- 
ing about  the  garden  and  greenhouse,  and  as  happy  as  a 
king  in  exchanging  plants  with  us,  and  helping  to  bud 
roses." 

"  That  may  be  well  enough  for  a  clerg}Tnan,  but  for 
you — a  mere  boy,  knowing  so  little  of  the  world — it  is 
different.  You  ought  not  to  have  chosen  such  a  man 
as  your  companion." 

"  I  didn't  ohoose  him,"  said  Ralph,  with  some  warmth. 
"  An  '  unco  guid '  widow  shut  the  door  in  my  face,  be- 
cause I  was  an  actor,  and  said  she  only  took  in  Chris- 
tians. Then  at  the  next  place  I  went  to  they  gave  me 
shelter  and  kind  words,  and  Dudley  was  goodness  itself 
to  me.  If  I  cut  him  now  I  should  be  a  contemptible 
cad." 

"  Well,"  said  his  companion,  with  a  shrug  of  her 
shoulders,  "  yon  must  '  gang  3'our  own  gait.'  But  re- 
member that  I  have  warned  you." 

She  turned  back  soon  after  this,  and  Ivy,  who  had 
thought  the  whole  discussion  very  tiresome,  skipped  for 
joy  when  a  bend  in  the  road  hid  her  from  view. 

But  Ealph  seemed  unusually  silent,  and  as  they  looked 
at  the  mins  of  the  old  abbey.  Ivy  could  not  at  all  under- 
stand the  shadow  that  seemed  to  have  come  over  his  face. 

Not  a  word  ever  passed  Dudley's  lips  about  his  pre- 


WAY  FARING  MEN  117 

vious  life,  but  there  were  not  lacking  people  who 
promptly  told  hhu  that  Ealph  Denmead  had  just 
learnt  all  about  it;  and  when  they  moved  on  to  Ayr,  he 
said  in  his  blunt  way: 

"  You'll  not  care  that  we  should  pig  together  any 
longer,  I  daresay  ?  " 

"  I  had  much  rather  share  diggings  with  you  than 
wth  any  of  the  others,"  said  Ealph,  heartily.  "  If  I'm 
not  in  your  way,  that  is?  You  are  the  only  man  who 
has  shown  me  the  least  kindness." 

Dudley  made  an  inarticulate  exclamation.  He  was 
more  touched  than  he  would  have  cared  to  own. 

"  You  are  thankful  for  small  mercies,"  he  said,  "  and 
gratitude  is  a  rare  tiling  in  the  profession.  But  I  like 
you,  lad,  and  am  glad  to  have  you  as  a  chum.  You  shall 
not  have  cause  to  be  ashamed  of  me." 

And  so  throughout  the  strange  vicissitudes  of  the 
Scotch  tour  these  two  oddly-contrasting  characters  bore 
each  other  company,  and  for  some  time  Myra  Kay  kept 
aloof  from  them  both. 


CHAPTER  XII 

"  All  these  anxieties  will  be  good  for  you.  They  all  go 
to  the  making  of  a  man — calling  out  that  God-dependence 
in  him  which  is  the  only  true  self-dependence,  the  only  true 
strength." — Letters  of  Charles  Kingsley. 

DuEiNG  the  first  month  Theophilus  Skoot's  Company 
prospered  as  well  as  could  be  expected.  A  week  at  Glas- 
gow and  a  week  at  Edinburgh,  with  full  houses,  cheered 
every  one;  but  after  that,  as  they  went  northward,  the 
days  of  dearth  began.  It  was  now  past  the  middle  of 
March,  and  the  old  proverb, 

"  As  the  light  lengthens 
The  cold  strengthens," 

■was  fulfilling  itself  in  very  bitter  fashion.  Perhaps  peo- 
ple were  disinclined  to  turn  out  of  their  comfortable 
homes  on  such  bleak  evenings;  at  any  rate,  the  week 
at  Stirling  proved  a  dead  failure,  and  Perth  was  wrest- 
ling with  the  influenza  demon,  and  had  little  leisure 
to  bestow  on  strolling  players. 

It  was  here  that  one  evening  Ralph,  for  the  first  time, 
learnt  what  it  is  to  work  without  a  salary. 

He  was  sitting  on  a  basket,  waiting  for  his  cue,  with 
"  Pendennis  "  to  cheer  him  into  forgetfulness  of  fatigue 
and  cold,  when  Dudley  returned  to  the  dressing-room, 
with  an  odd  look  lurking  about  the  corners  of  his  mouth. 

"  The  ghost  walks,"  he  said,  in  sepulchral  tones. 

"  What  do  you  mean?  "  said  Ralph,  laughing. 

Ii8 


WAYFARING  MEN  119 

"  It's  all  very  well  to  laugh.  You  won't  be  able  to 
do  that  long.  There's  no  treasury  to-morrow,  my  boy. 
'  The  manager  regrets/  etc.,  etc." 

"  No  treasury!  "  echoed  Ealph,  blankly. 

"  I'm  not  surprised,"  said  Dudley;  "  I  was  always 
doubtful  whether  Skoot  would  hold  out  long.  But  we 
may  have  better  luck  at  Dundee." 

"  And  if  not,  how  are  we  to  live?  "  asked  Ealph,  recol- 
lecting how  small  a  sum  he  had  to  fall  back  upon. 

"  Why,  my  dear  boy,  we  must  live  like  the  birds  of  the 
air,  who  eat  other  folk's  property,  and  then  fly  away." 

Ealph  looked  gloomy. 

"  Well,  after  all,"  he  said,  "  the  debts  will  virtually 
be  Skoot's,  not  ours.  And,  as  you  say,  other  places  may 
not  be  so  bad  as  Perth  has  been." 

This  was  exactly  what  the  manager  observed  as  they 
journeyed  on  from  town  to  town.  He  was  always  apolo- 
getic, always  bland  and  pleasant;  but  not  another  penny 
was  ever  forthcoming.  In  other  respects,  however,  the 
tour  was  less  unpleasant  than  at  first.  The  rehearsals 
were  shorter,  and  Mrs.  Skoot  did  not  venture  to  irritate 
them  quite  so  much,  but  solaced  herself  instead  with 
whisky.  Moreover,  their  common  trouble  formed  a  sort 
of  bond  of  union  between  tlie  members  of  the  Company; 
they  grumbled  together,  and  cheered  each  other  up;  they 
were  extraordinarily  kind  in  helping  one  another;  all  the 
little  Jealousies  and  quarrels  were  forgotten  in  the  gen- 
eral anxiety  and  distress.  As  to  Myra  Kay,  she  was  like 
another  being  altogether;  she  nursed  Ivy  through  a  long 
and  tedious  cold,  she  forgave  Ealph  for  his  friendship 
with  Dudley,  and  she  discussed  ways  and  means  in  the 
most  helpful  fashion.  Her  experience  and  good  advice 
were  of  considerable  use  to  Ealph,  while,  when  their 
prospects  were  at  the  darkest.  Ivy  managed  to  extract 
comfort  from  dreams  about  the  future,  and  would  listen 
by  the  hour  to  Myra's  plans  for  thf  summer,  and  to  dis- 
cussions about  her  wedding  and  her  trousseau. 


I20  WAYFARING  MEN 

And  so  the  weary  weeks  dragged  on,  until  at  last, 
towards  the  end  of  April,  they  found  themselves  at  In- 
verness. By  this  time  they  were  all  beginning  to  grow 
desperate  for  want  of  money,  and  Ralph,  after  a  hard 
struggle  with  himself,  conquered  his  pride  and  wrote 
to  old  Mr.  Marriott,  telling  him  of  the  plight  he  was  in. 
It  was  not  until  the  last  day  of  their  engagement  at  In- 
verness that  the  reply,  bearing  the  name  of  the  firm  on 
the  envelope,  was  placed  in  his  hands.  He  tore  it  open 
eagerly  and  turned  pale  as  he  read  the  contents: 

"  Basinghall  Street,  E.  C. 

"  21tn  April. 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  With  reference  to  your  letter  of  the  35th  inst.,  I 
beg  to  inform  you  that  Mr.  ]\Iarriott  has  been  very  dan- 
gerously ill  with  influenza,  and  to  recruit  his  health  he  has 
been  ordered  to  take  a  voyage  to  Australia.  I  regret  that 
in  his  absence  I  do  not  feel  m3^self  at  liberty  to  make 
you  any  advance.    I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  truly, 

"  W.  G.  Maunder." 

The  next  day  they  moved  on  to  Elgin.  The  manager 
looked  miserable  and  depressed;  Mrs.  Skoot,  though  not 
quite  sober,  read  novels  more  assiduously  than  ever,  and 
among  the  actors  there  were  loud  complaints,  and  angry 
threatenings  of  a  strike.  At  Elgin  the  audiences  were 
better  than  might  have  been  expected,  and  the  Skoots 
seemed  to  revive  a  little  as  they  moved  on  to  the  neigh- 
bouring town  of  Forres.  But  the  luckless  Company  still 
toiled  unpaid. 

Ralph's  patience  was  now  almost  exhausted.  Ivy  had 
received  piteous  letters  telling  of  her  grandfather's  diffi- 
culties, and  every  day  it  seemed  less  and  less  probable 
that  they  would  ever  again  receive  their  salaries  from  the 
manager. 


WAYFARING  MEN  121 

Forres  certainly  did  not  look  like  a  place  where  they 
would  attract  large  audiences,  and  an  indescribable  feel- 
ing of  hopelessness  stole  over  him  as  he  gazed  at  the 
old  gabled  houses  and  at  the  one  long,  irregular  street 
which  formed  the  chief  part  of  the  town.  How  much 
longer  could  he  possibly  endure  the  weary,  distasteful 
life?  The  halls  with  their  miserable  accommodation 
behind  the  scenes — for  in  few  towns  had  they  found 
a  proper  theatre; — the  cheap  lodgings  with  their  dirty 
rooms;  the  daily  marketing  under  difficulties;  and  the 
revolting  spectacle  of  Mrs.  Skoot  drowning  her  discom- 
fiture in  drink — all  these  had  become  intolerable. 

''  Let  us  go  for  a  walk,"  said  Ivy,  despairingly.  *'  At 
any  rate  out  of  doors  we  can  have  air  and  sunshine — 
we  shall  have  enough  of  our  wretched  rooms  later  on." 

"  Come  and  see  the  river,"  said  Myra  Kay.  "  They 
say  there  are  lovely  views  by  the  Findhorn." 

Ralph  consented,  and  the  three  walked  out  together 
into  the  country,  and  did  their  best  to  forget  the 
troubles  that  hemmed  them  in,  as  they  wandered  among 
the  flowery  fields,  where  Ivy  gathered  violets  and  prim- 
roses to  her  heart's  content.  Presently  by  the  river, 
among  the  soft  early  green  of  the  bushes,  they  came  to 
a  fallen  tree,  and  here  they  established  themselves  while 
Ralph  read  to  them.  They  had  indulged  in  two  or  three 
of  Dickens'  novels  at  an  old  bookstall  in  Edinburgh  in 
their  days  of  plenty,  and  when  fortune  frowned  upon 
them  these  shabby  volumes  had  proved  a  perfect  god- 
send. They  had  solaced  many  a  cold  journey  and  bright- 
ened many  a  dreary  lodging-house,  and  they  helped  now 
to  distract  them  from  the  thought  of  their  daily  increas- 
ing troubles. 

It  seemed  to  Ivy  when  she  looked  back  afterwards, 
that  this  afternoon  by  the  Findhorn  was  the  last  really 
happy  day  she  was  ever  to  know.  She  sat  cosily  en- 
Rconrrd  on  the  tree  trunk  with  her  lap  full  of  flowers 
which  she  delighted  in  arranging;  and  Ralph  lay  on  the 


122  WAYFARING  MEN 

grass  at  her  feet  with  his  head  propped  against  the 
smooth  surface  of  the  fallen  beech  tree.  She  noticed 
how  the  short  waves  of  his  crisp,  brown  hair  contrasted 
with  the  silver-grey  of  the  bark,  and  how  the  careworn 
look  which  had  grown  upon  him  during  the  tour  was 
entirely  banished  now  as  flashes  of  mirth  passed  over  his 
face,  caused  by  the  sayings  of  Grip  the  raven. 

Myra  Kay  sat  just  beyond  him;  she  was  knitting  socks 
for  her  fiance,  listening  at  times  to  the  reading,  but 
more  often  dreaming  of  her  own  future.  Everywhere 
there  was  that  sense  of  hope  and  joyous  expectation  that 
seems  to  belong  to  the  spring-time:  the  birds  sang  as  Ivy 
had  never  heard  them  sing  before;  the  lambs  frisked  de- 
lightfully in  the  soft,  green  meadows  near  their  some- 
what uninteresting  mothers;  and  into  her  half-taught, 
eager  mind  there  somehow  floated  new  ideas  of  the  mean- 
ing of  "  green  pastures  and  still  waters,"  and  a  firmer 
confidence  in  a  Shepherd  who  would  not  forget  even  the 
members  of  a  travelling  company  in  grievous  straits  up 
in  the  north  of  Scotland. 

"  Oh  don't  let  us  go  just  5'et! "  she  exclaimed,  as 
Ealph  closed  the  book.  "  It  can't  be  time  to  go  back  to 
those  stuffy  rooms." 

"  I'm  in  no  hurry,"  said  Ralph,  stretching  himself, 
and  falling  back  into  a  more  comfortable  attitude. 

He  could  not  see  Ivy's  face,  but  he  could  see  her  little, 
slender  fingers  as  they  pulled  the  petals  off  a  daisy.  The 
result  seemed  to  displease  her;  she  threw  away  the  re- 
mains of  the  flower,  and  gathering  another  diligently 
pulled  off  each  pink-tipped  petal,  but  again  threw  the 
stalk  from  her  with  a  little  impatient  gesture.  Then 
she  began  upon  a  third,  and  had  become  absorbed  in  her 
counting,  when  suddenly  she  felt  Ralph's  hand  lay  hold 
of  hers. 

"  Caught  in  the  act,"  he  said,  laughing.  "  Don't  you 
know  that  fortune-telling  is  illegal?  " 


WAYFARING  MEN  123 

"  Not  if  you  tell  your  own,"  said  Ivy. 

Something  in  her  voice  made  him  look  at  her,  and  for 
the  first  time  in  her  little  childish  face  he  detected  an 
expression  which  made  him  clearly  understand  that  he 
was  not  deahng  with  a  mere  girl  but  with  a  woman. 
Long  ago  he  had  realised  that  her  hard  experience  of 
life  had  robbed  Ivy  of  the  innocent  ignorance  which  had 
kept  Evereld  so  young;  but  he  had  naturally  fallen  into 
the  habit  of  treating  her  as  he  would  have  treated  any 
other  girl  of  fifteen  with  whom  he  was  brought  into  con- 
stant companionship.  Thinking  it  over  now  it  suddenly 
occurred  to  him  that  during  the  Scotch  tour  Ivy  had  lost 
her  brisk,  managing  way,  that  she  was  very  different 
from  the  independent  little  being  who  ordered  the  Pro- 
fessor's affairs  for  him,  that  she  had  become  unnaturally 
fond  of  being  helped  and  protected.  An  uncomfortable 
fear  crossed  his  mind,  but  he  thought  it  best  to  laugh 
and  try  to  change  the  subject. 

"  Are  you  doing  the  old  thing  that  Evereld  and  I  used 
to  be  fond  of! — 'Tinker,  tailor,  soldier,  sailor?'  And 
have  you  always  been  fated  to  wed  the  thief  that  you 
throw  away  one  daisy  after  another?  " 

"  That's  a  silly  old  rhyme,"  said  Ivy.  "  Of  course  I 
should  never  think  of  marrying  any  one  who  wasn't  in 
the  profession." 

"  Oh,  that's  quite  a  mistake,"  said  Ralph,  lightly,  de- 
termined that  he  must  be  cruel  only  to  be  kind.  "  Two 
of  a  trade  seldom  agree,  you  know.  You  should  marrj'  a 
dreamy  philosopher  who  needed  waking  up,  and  being 
looked  after." 

Ivy  blushed,  and  was  silent,  and  Ralph  was  not  sorry 
to  be  taken  to  task  by  M-sTa  Kay  for  his  rash  assertion 
that  two  of  a  trade  never  agreed.  They  fell  into  a  merry 
bantering  discussion  during  which  Ivy  recovered  herself. 

After  all,  she  reflected,  why  should  she  be  unhappy  be- 
cause he  had  teased  her  a  little?     His  words  no  doubt 


124  WAYFARING  MEN 

meant  nothing  at  all;  she  would  not  spoil  this  happy 
afternoon  by  tormenting  herself. 

"  To-morrow's  my  birthday,"  she  said,  gaily,  as  they 
walked  back  to  Forres.  "  I'm  going  to  be  sixteen. 
There's  no  rehearsal,  and  I  vote  that  we  three  have  a 
real  picnic." 

'''  Carried  unanimously,"  said  Ralph.  "  We  might  go 
as  far  as  this  Heronry  they  speak  of.  The  longer  we  are 
out  of  our  dismal  diggings  the  better." 

The  play  that  night  was  ''  Macbeth,"  and  anything 
more  unlike  the  arrangements  at  Washington's  theatre  it 
would  be  impossible  to  conceive.  Mr.  Skoot  w^as  apolo- 
getic, Mrs.  Skoot  endeavoured  to  be  very  affable,  and  the 
Company  with  that  readiness  to  perceive  fun,  and  the 
real  good-nature  which  never  failed  them  in  an  emer- 
gency, made  the  best  of  the  many  discomforts.  They 
dressed  behind  screens,  they  laughed  and  joked,  they  had 
wild  hunts  for  lost  belongings,  and  they  chattered  inces- 
santly between  the  acts  under  cover  of  the  noisiest  piano- 
playing  which  could  be  produced  by  one  of  the  ladies, 
who,  with  a  waterproof  cloak  over  her  costume,  did  duty 
as  the  entire  orchestra. 

A  choice  selection  of  Scotch  airs  was  being  hammered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  Fourth  Act,  when  Ralph,  who  was 
groping  in  a  heap  of  miscellaneous  garments  in  hopes  of 
rescuing  the  wig  he  had  worn  as  first  murderer,  and  had 
hastily  thrown  off  during  a  desperately  hurried  change 
into  Malcolm's  attire,  found  himself  close  to  Dudley. 

"  The  manager  is  positively  enjoying  himself,"  said 
the  comedian.  "  Skoot  is  after  all  a  wonderful  man.  I 
shouldn't  wonder  if  he  was  persuading  himself  that  this 
confounded  tour  will  prove  a  success.  That  fellow  lives 
on  dreams.    His  wife  is  the  one  for  business." 

At  that  moment  Mrs.  Skoot,  in  the  most  elegant  of 
stage  nightdresses,  and  with  her  taper  all  ready  to  be 
lighted  at  the  right  moment,  appeared  for  the  sleep- 


WAYFARING  MEN  125 

walking  scene.  Ralph  often  wondered  what  effect  she 
had  at  a  distance;  the  near  view  of  her  was  appalling. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  have  a  great  deal  to  put  up  with," 
she  said,  in  unusually  gracious  tones,  smiling  in  a  ghastly 
way  beneath  her  paint.  "  But  we  must  all  learn  to  take 
the  fortune  of  war.  Our  next  place  will  be  comfortable 
enough." 

They  were  joined  just  then  by  Myra  Kay  in  the  cos- 
tume of  the  Gentleiooman-m- Waiting. 

Mrs.  Skoot,  who,  as  a  rule,  was  at  daggers  drawn  with 
her,  accosted  her  now  pleasantly  enough. 

"  I  hear  that  you  and  Ivy  have  planned  an  excursion 
for  to-morrow?"  she  said.  "  Come  and  breakfast  with 
us  at  nine  o'clock  before  the  start.  And  you,  too,  Mr. 
Denmead." 

They  accepted  the  invitation  in  some  surprise,  and  as 
the  curtain  was  rung  up  Mrs.  Skoot  requested  Dudley  to 
light  her  taper,  and  presently  sailed  on  to  the  stage  for 
her  great  scene,  leaving  them  in  astonishment  at  her  un- 
wonted good-humour. 

The  next  day  Ralph  went,  as  he  had  promised,  to  the 
manager's  rooms  in  time  for  breakfast.  He  was  within 
a  few  yards  of  the  door  when  he  came  upon  the  heavy 
man,  and  his  son,  a  young  and  very  indifferent  actor  who 
usually  played  four  or  five  small  parts. 

"  Have  you  heard  the  news?  "  they  exclaimed.  "  The 
Company's  dried  up." 

"What?"  said  Ralph,  in  dismay. 

"  The  manager  has  absconded,"  said  the  heavy  man, 
pompously.  "  Went  off  by  the  first  train  this  morning. 
It  seems  that  last  night  when  we  were  all  safely  out  of  the 
way  the  baggage  man  took  everything  to  the  station. 
Then  Skoot  and  his  wife  stole  out  of  their  lodgings  early 
this  morning  without  rousing  a  soul,  and  here  we  are 
landed  high  and  dry  in  the  north-east  of  Scotland. 
Pleasant  prospect,  isn't  it? 


» 


126  WAYFARING  MEN 

Ealph  felt  indeed  that  they  were  in  a  desperate  plight. 
He  moved  on  mechanically  to  the  open  door  of  the  man- 
agers rooms,  and  caught  sight  of  a  little  group  in  the 
entrance  passage. 

The  landlady,  shrill-voiced  and  indignant,  was  telling 
the  whole  story  to  Myra  Kay;  and  Ivy,  with  an  open  letter 
in  her  hand,  and  traces  of  tears  on  her  little,  piquant  face 
stood  close  by. 

She  was  the  first  to  catch  sight  of  him,  and  hastened 
forward  to  greet  him. 

"  Oh,  Ralph,  Fm  so  glad  you  have  come!  "  she  ex- 
claimed, piteously.  "What  am  I  to  do?  What  can  I 
do?" 


CHAPTEE    XIII 

"  Who  bides  his  time — he  tastes  the  sweet 
Of  honey  in  tlie  sal  test  tear; 
And  though  he  fares  with  slowest  feet, 
Joy  runs  to  meet  him,  drawing  near; 
The  birds  are  heralds  of  his  cause, 
And  like  a  never-ending  rhyme 
The  roadsides  bloom  in  his  applause. 
Who  bides  his  time." 

J.   W.   ElLEY. 

"  Have  you  had  bad  news  from  home?  "  asked  Ealph, 
taking  the  letter  which  Ivy  held  towards  him. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  in  a  broken  voice.  "  They  have  had 
to  move  my  grandfather  to  the  hospital." 

It  was  but  too  clear,  as  Ralph  at  once  perceived  from 
the  letter,  that  the  old  Professor  was  never  likely  to  re- 
cover, and  that  Ivy's  home  had  ceased  to  exist.  The 
landlady  wrote  to  demand  rent,  and  since  it  was  impos- 
sible to  pay  this,  there  would  doubtless  be  a  sale  of  the 
Professor's  few  belongings. 

And  here  was  tliis  pretty  girl  of  sixteen,  stranded, 
without  a  penny  in  her  possession,  in  a  remote  Scotch 
town,  where  it  was  impossible  to  meet  with  an  engage- 
ment. 

"  What  am  I  to  do?  "  she  said,  lifting  her  piteous  eyes 
to  his  with  an  appeal  that  moved  him  more  than  he  quite 
liked.  He  wished  that  he  had  not  guessed  her  secret  on 
the  previous  day,  and  that  he  could  treat  her  once  more 
in  the  matter-of-fact-elder-brotherly  fashion  which  he 

127 


I2S  WAYFARING  MEN 

had  once  adopted.  But  this  was  no  longer  possible;  nay, 
he  felt  an  almost  irresistible  longing  to  say  to  her:  "  I  will 
take  care  of  you.  We  will  set  the  world  at  defiance,  and 
bear  our  troubles  together." 

Fortunately  he  thought  of  Evereld,  and  instantly 
tried  to  picture  her  in  the  same  plight.  How  would  he 
have  felt  towards  a  man  who  had  taken  advantage  of  her 
poverty  and  helplessness  to  place  her  in  a  position  which 
must,  more  or  less,  have  compromised  her? 

He  folded  the  letter  and  gave  it  back. 

"  Don't  worry  yourself  more  than  you  can  help,"  he 
said,  kindly.  "  I  will  talk  things  over  with  the  others, 
and  we  will  manage  somehow  to  get  you  back  to  Lon- 
don." 

But  discussion  threw  very  little  light  on  the  main 
difficulty  of  how  to  raise  the  necessary  money.  Every 
member  of  the  company  was  desperately  poor,  and  al- 
though ^lyra  Kay  offered  to  take  charge  of  Ivy  as  far  as 
London,  she  had  only  just  enough  money  to  pay  for  her 
own  railway  ticket.  Some  intended  to  go  back  to  Inver- 
ness, others  were  setting  out  for  Edinburgh  or  Glasgow, 
and  all  were  grumbling  loudly,  and  anathematising  the 
Skoots  who  could  scarcely  have  chosen  a  more  incon- 
venient place  than  Forres  for  their  flight. 

He  had  counted  a  good  deal  on  Dudley's  good  nature; 
but  the  comedian  proved  the  most  unsatisfactory  adviser 
of  all. 

"  Oh  don't  worry  your  head  about  Ivy  Grant,"  he 
said.  "  Depend  upon  it  such  a  pretty  girl  will  win  her 
way  somehow  or  other.  It's  much  more  to  the  point 
what  you  and  I  are  to  do." 

Ralph  did  not  stay  to  argue  the  question.  Myra  Kay 
was  to  leave  by  the  next  train  for  the  south,  and  he  was 
determined  that  somehow  or  other  Ivy  must  go  with 
her.  He  went  up  to  his  room,  threw  most  of  his  pos- 
sessions into  a  portmanteau,  and  went  to  try  his  fortune 


WAYFARING  MEN  1*9 

at  the  pawnbrokers.  It  was  broad  daylight,  but  he  had 
long  ago  ceased  to  feel  any  shame  at  being  reduced  to 
such  straits.  He  went  to-day,  however,  with  a  heavy 
heart;  for  he  was  only  too  well  aware  that  he  could  not 
hope  to  raise  much  money  on  the  few  shabby  clothes,  and 
the  wigs,  shoes,  and  such  like,  which  had  supplemented 
the  theatrical  costumes  provided  by  Skoot.  Many  weeks 
before,  his  father's  watch  and  chain  had  been  parted  \nth, 
so  that  he  had  nothing  of  much  value,  and  his  spirits 
sank  lower  and  lower  as  the  pawnbroker  checked  off  the 
garments  one  by  one  at  terribly  small  prices. 

In  the  very  atmosphere  of  the  shop  there  seemed 
something  depressing;  tales  of  sordid  misery  seemed 
woven  in  with  the  shabby  rugs  and  carpets,  the  stacks 
of  heterogeneous  clothing;  and  tragedies  seemed  bound 
up  with  the  workmen's  tools,  the  musical  instruments, 
the  relics  of  household  furniture. 

"  Twenty-five  shillin's  and  saxpence,"  said  the  master 
of  the  shop.     "  Will  I  be  makin'  oot  the  teeckets?  " 

"  What's  the  price  of  a  third  single  to  London?  "  asked 
Ralph.     "  I  must  raise  enough  for  that." 

"  Ye  eanna  do  it,  sir,  not  with  these,  it's  juist  beyon' 
ony  man's  contrivin'.  Why  I'm  thinkin'  the  teecket  to 
London  will  be  a  matter  of  twa  punds." 

He  appealed  to  his  assistant. 

"  It's  preceesely  forty-two  shillin'  and  saxpence,"  said 
the  young  man,  regarding  the  actor  with  some  interest. 

"  There's  still  the  portmanteau,"  said  Ralph. 

It  was  an  old  one  of  the  rector's,  solid  and  good  of  its 
kind. 

"  I'll  gie  ye  a  couple  o'  shilhn's  for  it,"  said  the  pawn- 
broker. "  But  ye'll  no  be  gettin'  to  London,  sir,  upon 
twenty-seven  and  saxpence." 

"It  must  be  done,"  said  Ralph,  with  a  determined 
look  which  took  the  Scotchman's  fancy.  "Make  out 
those  tickets,  and  I'll  be  with  you  again  in  five  minutes." 


I30  WAY  FARING  MEN 

"  The  laddie's  weel-bred,"  said  the  old  man  to  him- 
self. '''  He'll  win  his  way  depend  on  it,  there's  grit  in 
him.  You's  none  of  your  false  French  pohshin';  it's 
sound,  good  breedin'  and  grit." 

Ralph,  true  to  his  word,  appeared  again  in  a  few  mi- 
nutes carrying  a  Gladstone  bag,  an  overcoat,  and  a  mack- 
intosh. The  bag  with  the  change  of  linen  in  it  which  he 
had  hoped  to  keep,  went  for  a  little  more  than  he  had  ex- 
pected, and  with  the  overcoat  brought  in  enough  money 
for  the  journey,  and  ninepenee  to  spare.  He  decided  not 
to  part  with  the  mackintosh,  and  gathering  up  his  sheaf 
of  tickets,  bade  the  old  Scotsman  good-day,  and  went  at 
once  to  the  manager's  deserted  rooms. 

Ivy  had  grown  tired  of  talking  to  the  landlady,  and 
being  in  spite  of  her  troubles  exceedingly  hungry,  had 
taken  her  place  at  the  forlorn  breakfast  table,  and  was 
trying  to  find  comfort  in  a  cup  of  cold  coffee. 

"  Come,  that's  a  good  idea,"  said  Ralph,  cheerfully. 
"  And  now  I  think  of  it,  I,  too,  am  hungry.  Why 
should  we  not  eat?  After  Mrs.  Skoot's  pressing  invita- 
tion it's  a  clear  duty!  " 

Ivy  smiled,  and  began  to  fill  his  cup  for  him. 

"  What  do  the  rest  of  the  company  think  I  had  better 
do?  "  she  asked,  anxiously. 

"  They  all  agree  that  you  had  better  go  back  to  Lon- 
don with  Miss  Kay.  She  will  not  be  able  to  take  you 
home  with  her,  but  I've  been  thinking  it  over,  and  I'm 
sure  your  best  way  will  be  to  go  to  my  old  landlady  Mrs. 
Dan  Doolan.  She  is  the  soul  of  good-nature  and  as 
long  as  they  have  a  crust  in  the  house  they  will  share  it 
with  you." 

"  But  I  don't  know  them,  and  I  can't  go  and  beg,"  said 
Ivy,  with  an  air  of  distaste. 

"  I  will  write  a  letter  to  them  which  will  explain  every- 
thing," said  Ralph.  "  They  are  good,  trustworthy  peo- 
ple who  will  see  that  no  harm  happens  to  you;  they  will,  I 


WAYFARING  MEN  i3» 

daresay,  house  you  while  you  look  for  another  engage- 
ment." 

"  How  am  I  to  get  the  money  for  my  ticket?  " 

"  I  will  see  to  that  for  you." 

"  But  you  have  no  money?  " 

"  Are  you  so  sure  of  that?  "  said  Ralph,  smiling  as  he 
rattled  the  coins  in  his  pocket  cheerfully. 

The  girl's  face  brightened.  "  You  have  enough  for 
both  of  us?  " 

"  I  am  going  to  stay  in  Scotland.  I  shall  keep  enough 
to  get  along  with,  you  needn't  be  anxious." 

But  this  was  quite  too  much  for  Ivy,  she  hid  her  face 
and  burst  into  tears. 

"  I  can't  go  alone,"  she  sobbed.  "  I  won't  take  your 
money,  and  leave  you  behind  in  this  horrid  place.  Oh, 
please,  please  let  us  stay  together." 

For  a  minute  he  wavered — the  sight  of  her  tears  was 
almost  more  than  he  could  endure;  the  sunshine  stream- 
ing in  through  the  uncurtained  window  turned  her  brown 
liair  to  gold,  and  revealed  in  a  way  that  half-dazzled  him 
the  wonderful  grace  of  ever}^  line  of  her  figure.  With  an 
effort,  he  turned  away,  and  began  doggedly  to  pace  the 
room  till  he  recovered  himself,  and,  with  that  instinct  for 
straightforward  dealing  which  always  characterised  him, 
frankly  answered  her  suggestion. 

"  That  would  never  do:  you  will  see  if  you  think  for 
a  minute.  You  are  no  longer  a  child,  and  people  would 
say  horrible  things  about  you." 

"  But  you  always  say  we  are  not  to  trouble  about  slan- 
ders. You  don't  like  conventional  people,  and  yet  here 
you  would  have  me  made  miserable,  for  fear  unkind 
tongues  should  talk." 

"  We  can't  throw  aside  all  conventions,"  said  Ealph; 
"  many  of  them  are  good  and  useful  in  their  way.  Are 
you  and  I  so  superhuman  that  we  can  afford  to  do  with- 
out all  safeguards?    I  know  you  think  me  hard-hearted. 


132  WAYFARING  MEN 

but  some  day  you'll  thank  me  for  persuading  you  to  go 
with  Miss  Kay.'' 

Ivy  shook  her  head.  "  It's  because  you  don't  really 
like  me;  you  mean  to  be  kind,  just  kind  and  nothing 
more.    I  hate  your  kindness!  " 

All  the  grief  and  love  and  passion  that  was  pent  up 
in  her  heart  seemed  to  break  loose  into  this  wild,  little 
speech. 

Ralph  began  to  pace  the  room  again,  he  understood 
her  only  too  well,  and  he  was  sorely  perplexed  as  to  what 
he  should  do.  At  last  he  came  to  the  somewhat  original 
determination  to  treat  her  as  he  would  have  liked  in  her 
place  to  be  treated.  He  sat  down  by  her,  and  said  qui- 
etly: 

"  We  are  all  of  us  unhinged  this  morning,  but  I  want 
you,  Ivy,  to  try  and  see  things  as  they  really  are.  I'm 
going  to  tell  you  what  not  another  soul  in  the  world 
knows,  for  it  will  help  you  to  see  how  we  stand,  I  have 
a  friend  in  England  who  is  as  yet  only  my  friend,  but 
I'm  presumptuous  enough  to  dream — ^to  hope  that  some 
day  she  will  be  my  wife." 

"  Then  very  naturally  you  can't  care  much  what  hap- 
pens to  other  girls,"  said  Ivy,  perversely. 

"  I  care  a  hundred  times  more,"  said  Ralph.  "  It  is 
just  through  her  that  I  have  learnt  to  reverence  all 
women.  Were  she  in  your  plight  up  here  in  Forres 
should  I  not  think  any  man  a  brute  who  risked  her  good 
name,  who  didn't  do  his  utmost  to  shield  her  and  help 
her  unselfishly?  " 

Ivy  did  not  reply;  her  wistful  blue  eyes  were  fixed  on 
his  now  with  the  questioning  look  of  a  child  who  is  try- 
ing to  grasp  some  quite  new  idea.  She  had  seen  all 
through  her  precocious  childhood  and  girlhood  a  great 
deal  that  called  itself  love,  but  was  only  selfishness  and 
animal  passion,  and  now  through  her  sorrow  and  disap- 
pointment she  was  beginning  faintly  to  perceive  another 


WAY  FARING  MEN  133 

kind  of  love  altogether,  a  love  that  was  divine  and  en- 
nohling.  It  was  just  a  far-away  glimpse  such  as  she 
had  gained  of  the  landscape  one  day,  when,  in  spite  of 
cloudy  weather,  they  had  climbed  Moncrieffe  Hill,  and  as 
tlie  mist  every  now  and  then  cleared  off  for  a  few  mi- 
nutes, they  had  seen  the  sun  shining  on  lovely  scenery 
far  far  in  the  distance.  She  had  the  same  sense  now 
that  the  glimpse  of  love  she  had  gained  was  real  and 
true,  and  that  the  mist  was  a  mere  passing  discomfort. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  was  angry,"  she  exclaimed.  "  I  don't 
mean  what  I  said,  then.  I  like  you  to  be  my  friend 
and  to  help  me — at  least  if  it's  right  for  me  to  let  you." 

"  Of  course  it's  right,"  said  Ralph.  "  Didn't  your 
grandfather  trust  me  to  take  you  down  to  Scotland  and 
place  you  with  Mrs.  Skoot?  I  owe  it  to  him  since  she 
has  deserted  you,  to  see  you  safely  back  in  London,  and 
I  will  write  a  line  at  once  to  Mrs.  Dan  Doolan  explain- 
ing things." 

"  Thank  you,"  she  said,  in  a  sad,  meek  little  voice. 
And  as  he  began  to  write,  her  little,  sensible,  managing 
ways  came  back  to  her  and  she  began  to  cut  thick  slices 
of  bread  and  butter  and  wrap  them  up  for  the  journey. 
She  then  consoled  the  landlady  with  her  travelling 
trunk,  packed  her  few  possessions  into  the  smallest  com- 
pass possible,  and  by  the  time  Myra  Kay  called  for  her, 
was  waiting  ready  dressed,  looking,  indeed,  very  pale, 
but  with  an  air  of  determination  about  her  firm  little 
mouth  which  Ralph  could  not  help  admiring. 

There  was  a  great  bustle  of  departure,  but  when  he 
had  posted  his  letters  and  had  taken  Ivy's  ticket  and 
stood  alone  outside  the  railway  carriage  with  nothing 
more  to  do,  a  sense  of  loneliness  began  to  steal  over  him. 
For  the  first  time  it  occurred  to  any  one  to  ask  what 
plans  he  had  made  for  himself. 

"  "Where  are  you  going,  Mr.  Denmead  ?  "  said  Myra 
Kay. 


134  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  I'm  going  to  take  a  walking  tour,"  said  Ralph,  light- 
ly; *'  probably  1  shall  work  my  way  down  to  Glasgow, 
and  try  for  an  engagement  there.  By-the-bye,  where  is 
Macneillie's  Company  now?  " 

"Just  dispersed,"  said  Myra,  cheerfully,  as  she  re- 
flected that  her  lover  would  be  in  London  to  meet  her. 
'*  Macneillie  generally  winds  up  soon  after  Whitsuntide 
and  starts  again  at  the  beginning  of  August.  He  has 
promised  to  take  me  on  again  then." 

"  If  he  has  an  opening  you  might  say  a  word  for  me," 
said  Ralph,  "  and  Ivy,  let  me  have  a  line  to  say  how  you 
get  on.  I  shall  have  to  call  for  letters  at  the  Stirling 
post-office,  for  I  hope  to  hear  of  an  engagement  by  that 
time." 

Just  at  that  moment  he  was  hailed  by  a  familiar  voice 
from  a  smoking  carriage,  and  looking  round  he  saw 
Dudley  leaning  out  of  the  window. 

"  So  you  are  off  to  the  south,  too!  "  he  said.  "  Lucky 
fellow,  how  did  you  manage  it?  " 

The  train  had  already  begun  to  move,  but  the  come- 
dian with  a  beaming  face  still  leant  out  of  the  window 
describing  to  the  last  moment  the  extraordinary  run  of 
luck  he  had  had  at  billiards. 

"Go  and  play  the  same  game,"  he  counselled;  "it's 
the  only  way  to  raise  the  wind.  Good-bye,  my  boy! 
Meet  again  in  better  times." 

He  waved  his  hand  cheerfully  and  was  borne  away, 
but  the  thing  which  lingered  longest  in  Ralph's  sight 
was  Iv>''s  wistful,  little  face,  as  to  the  very  last  she  gazed 
back  at  him. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

"  And  forth  into  the  fields  I  went, 
And  nature's  living  motion  lent 
The  pulse  of  hope  to  discontent. 

"  I  wonder'd  at  the  bounteous  hours 
The  slow  results  of  winter  showers; 
You  scarce  could  see  the  grass  for  flowers. 

"  I  wonder'd  while  I  paced  along; 

The  woods  were  fill'd  so  full  with  song. 
There  seem'd  no  room  for  sense  of  wrong." 

"  The  Two  Voices,"  Tennyson. 

It  was  just  ten  minutes  past  eleven  by  the  station 
clock  when  Ralph,  ha\dng  parted  with  his  companions, 
found  himself  outside  in  the  highroad.  He  felt  horribly 
desolate,  and  stood  for  a  minute  or  two  dismally  con- 
templating a  flaming  red  and  yellow  placard  of  a  scene 
in  "  Cramond  Brig,"  which  they  had  invariably  played 
after  "  East  Lynne."  AVretched  as  his  experiences  with 
the  Company  had  been,  they  had  at  least  been  less  dreary 
than  solitude.  He  sorely  missed  Ivy's  bright  face,  and 
the  comedian's  cheerful  companionship.  There  was  a 
certain  bitterness  too  in  the  reflection  that  no  one  had 
taken  much  thought  of  what  was  to  become  of  him,  and 
that  even  Dudley,  who  had  been  kind  and  friendly 
enough  in  the  past,  had  never  dreamt  of  foregoing  his 
journey  to  London  and  of  taking  two  tickets  to  Glasgow. 

With  a  last  look  at  Forres  he  turned  his  steps  south- 
ward and  somewhat  drearily  set  off  on  the  first  stage 
of  his  journey.    He  meant  to  reach  Grantown  that  even- 

135 


136  WAYFARING  MEN 

ing,  and  Grantown  appeared  to  be  at  least  two  and  twen- 
ty miles  oil.  Fortunately  the  weather  was  all  in  his 
favour:  it  was  one  of  those  mornings  of  early  May  when 
the  sun  is  bright  and  warm  and  the  air  deUciously  fresh, 
and  he  had  not  gone  far  along  the  uphill  road  before  his 
spirits  revived.  iVfter  all  he  was  young  and  in  good 
health,  and  there  was  something  not  altogether  unpleas- 
ant in  entire  independence.  He  reflected  with  a  laugh 
that  although  a  change  of  clothes  might  be  desirable, 
a  knapsack  would  have  been  heavy  to  carry,  that  the 
great  coat  though  useful  on  a  cold  night  would  have 
been  unbearable  at  the  present  moment,  and  that  the 
sixpence  left  to  him  after  stamping  the  letter  to  his 
landlady  and  letters  to  the  managers  of  an  Edinburgh 
and  a  Glasgow  theatre,  would  at  any  rate  keep  him  for 
a  few  da}-s  from  actual  starvation.  Then  for  a  while 
he  forgot  his  difficulties  altogether  in  sheer  enjoyment 
of  the  country.  The  lovely  outline  of  the  Cluny  hills, 
the  glimpses  of  the  river  Findhorn,  the  beautiful  parks 
surrounding  many  stately  houses,  looked  their  very  best 
on  this  perfect  spring  morning.  lie  caught  the  glowing 
sunlight  through  the  young  leaves  just  unfolded  and 
thought  that  the  delicate  tracery  of  dark  boughs  seemed 
as  though  ablaze  with  emeralds.  He  had  walked  for 
about  two  hours  when  he  came  to  a  little  country  church 
and  burial  ground,  and  paused  partly  to  rest,  partly  to 
look  up  at  the  beautiful  viaduct  which  at  a  great  height 
Rpanned  the  river  Divie. 

"  Ay,  ay,"  said  a  voice,  that  seemed  to  rise  from  one 
of  the  graves.  "  There  are  many  tourists  that  stop  to 
admire  yonder  seven-arched  work  of  man's  devising,  but 
few — very  few  that  pay  much  heed  to  the  works  of  the 
Almighty." 

Thore  was  a  strong  northern  accent  about  the  words; 
and  the  careful,  precise  English  showed  that  the  speaker 
was  better  used  to  reading  than  to  speaking  the  language. 


WAYFARING  MEN  137 

Ealph  had  started  a  little  at  the  suddenness  with 
which  the  silence  had  been  broken,  and  on  turning 
round,  he  saw  a  venerable-looking  old  man  with  bushy 
grey  hair  and  beard,  and  shrewd  yet  kindly  glance.  Evi- 
dently he  was  the  minister  of  this  place.  Kalph  raised 
his  hat,  and  smiled  a  little. 

"  May  not  the  skill  of  man  be  taken  as  one  of  God's 
works?  "  he  said. 

"  No  doubt,  no  doubt,"  replied  the  minister.  "  When 
rightly  applied  that  is  to  say.  But  railways,  sir,  are  the 
devil's  own  weapon;  they  desolate  and  mar  the  country 
they  enter;  they  bring  to  the  country  folk  all  the  evil  of 
the  towns  and  cities.  You  have  a  prophet  in  your  own 
land  that  has  told  you  this  in  plain  words,  but  you  will 
not  heed  him,  but  go  on  multiplying  the  works  of  evil 
to  your  own  undoing." 

"  On  such  a  day  as  this  I  am  all  in  favour  of  walking," 
said  Ralph,  amused  at  the  minister's  earnestness. 

"  Sir!  it's  a  grand  exercise,  you'll  not  be  finding  a  bet- 
ter; there  are  your  bicycles  that  bend  a  man's  back  like 
an  overstrung  bow,  and  your  tricycles  that  are  no  light 
diversion  to  push  up  our  Scottish  hills,  and  there  aro 
those  works  of  the  evil  one  which  whirl  you  through 
creation  at  such  a  pace  that  you  are  no  wiser  at  the  end 
of  a  journey  than  you  were  at  the  beginning  of  it.  But 
a  man  that  walks,  sir,  must  be  blind  and  deaf  if  he's  not 
a  better  man  after  his  walk  than  he  was  before." 

"  Well,  I  shall  be  able  to  test  your  theory,"  said  Ealph. 
"  For  I  am  walking  as  far  as  Glasgow." 

"  And  which  way  will  you  be  taking?  "  asked  the 
minister.  "  You  should  spend  a  few  days  among  the 
Grampians,  if  you  are  anything  of  a  mountaineer." 

"  I  must  push  on  as  fast  as  I  can,"  said  Ralph;  "  and 
by  the  most  direct  route.  They  told  me  at  Forres  that 
after  Grantown  I  had  better  make  for  Kingussie." 

"  If  you'll  come  into  the  Manse,  I  will  show  you  on 


I3S  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

the  map  the  ver}'  route  I  have  often  travelled  myself  in 
past  days/''  said  the  minister.  And  Ealph^  nothing  loth, 
followed  him  into  his  house,  and  was  soon  poring  over  a 
big  ordnance  map,  and  receiving  some  very  helpful  in- 
formation from  the  old  man. 

They  were  interrupted  before  long  by  a  knock  at  the 
door,  and  the  appearance  of  an  aged  housekeeper  with 
a  large,  well-fed,  tabby  cat  in  her  arms. 

"  The  feesh  is  on  the  table,  sir,  and  it's  a  sair  tempta- 
tion for  puss,  puir  wee  thing,  starving  hungry  as  she  is." 

Ealph  sprang  up  to  take  leave,  glancing  humourously 
at  the  fat  tabby,  who  was  in  such  haste  for  her  food. 
The  minister  noted  the  glance;  he  noted,  too,  for  the 
first  time,  the  extreme  shabbiness  of  his  guest's  clothes, 
and  certain  signs  of  under-feeding  about  him. 

"  We'll  no  keep  puss  waiting,  Tibbie,"  he  said.  "  But 
just  lay  another  place  at  the  table,  for  I  hope  this  gen- 
tleman has  time  to  dine  with  me."  Then  as  Ralph  hes- 
itated to  accept  the  hospitality  he  overruled  all  objec- 
tions by  adding:  "  You'll  be  doing  me  a  real  kindness 
if  you'll  stay,  for  it  is  not  very  often  that  I  get  a  visitor 
to  talk  with  in  this  country  place." 

He  led  the  way  as  he  spoke  into  the  adjoining  room, 
a  plainly-furnished  parlour  with  nothing  ornamental 
about  it,  but  with  a  certain  charm  of  its  own,  neverthe- 
less, from  its  pure  cleanliness  and  simplicity.  Puss  oc- 
cupied a  chair  on  her  master's  right  hand,  and  purred 
loudly  through  the  somewhat  long  grace,  and  Tibbie, 
having  provided  for  the  wants  of  the  visitor,  left  them 
to  enjoy  the  meal  in  peace.  For  dinner  at  the  Manse 
was  not  an  affair  with  many  courses,  but  just  freshly- 
caught  fish  from  the  river,  baps  baked  that  morning  by 
the  housekeeper,  a  salad  from  the  garden,  and  the  re- 
mains of  a  cheese  which  had  been  a  present  to  the  mi- 
ni.=tpr  on  New  Year's  rlay. 

"Now  the  majority  of  travellers,  as  I  was  saying." 


WAYFARING  MEN  139 

continued  the  minister,  "  are  just  hurried  over  the  via- 
duct, causing  us  notliing  but  distraction  and  annoyance, 
but  a  pedestrian  lilce  yourself  really  sees  the  place,  and 
cheers  the  day  for  us  and  brings  us  something  to  think 
about." 

"  I  spent  the  first  thirteen  years  of  my  life  in  a  coun- 
try rectory,"  said  Ealph.  "  And  remember' what  a  quiet 
time  we  had." 

"  And  are  you  studying  for  the  ministry?  "  asked  the 
old  man. 

"  No,"  said  Ralph.  "  My  guardian  gave  me  the 
chance  of  doing  that,  but  I  think  you  will  agree  that  one 
can't  be  a  parson  just  for  the  sake  of  earning  a  living." 

"  Certainly  not,  sir,  certainly  not.  You  are  quite  in 
the  right.  No  man  should  take  up  such  work  without 
a  clear  call;  far  better  seek  some  other  profession." 

"  That  is  what  I  did,"  said  Ealph,  colouring  a  little. 
"  But  I  know  very  well  that  you'll  not  approve  of  my 
profession.  I  am  an  actor,  and  am  on  my  way  now  to 
Stirling  where  I  hope  to  hear  of  a  fresh  engagement 
either  at  Edinburgh  or  at  Glasgow." 

Surprise,  consternation,  regret,  were  plainly  visible  in 
the  old  man's  face.  He  said  nothing  for  a  moment,  it 
bewildered  him  to  find  that  this  young  fellow  with  his 
straightforward  manner  and  ingenuous  modesty,  should 
have  anything  to  do  with  the  stage. 

"  I  am  thinking  that  you  will  be  asking  me  as  you  did 
of  the  viaduct — may  not  the  skill  of  man  be  taken  as  one 
of  God's  works?  "  he  said,  thoughtfully.  "  x\nd  I'm  fain 
to  confess  that  I  have  ever  considered  theatres  as  the 
highway  to  hell,  and  actors  as  so  many  servants  of  the 
devil.  May  God  forgive  me  if  I  have  failed  in  charity 
and  dealt  out  harsh  judgment  to  them." 

So  they  fell  into  talk  together,  and  Ealph  told  of  the 
landlady  who  had  shut  the  door  in  his  face,  and  assumed 
that  he  was  no  Christian.     He  told  of  some  of  the  ar- 


rjo  WAYFARING  MEN 

rangements  at  the  two  theatres  in  London  with  whicli 
he  was  acquainted.  He  told  more  than  one  story  which 
he  had  heard  from  "Myva,  Kay  of  the  good  that  Hugh 
Macneilhe  had  done.  And  the  old  minister  hstened  and 
pondered  these  strange  sayings  in  his  heart,  looking  all 
the  time  with  a  sort  of  wistfulness  at  the  fresh,  hopeful 
face  opposite  him — a  face  which  somehow  haunted  him 
long  after  Ealph  had  left  the  Manse. 

"  He  had  been  through  a  hard  apprenticeship,  and 
I  doubt  he  had  little  enough  in  his  pockets,"  reflected 
the  old  man  as  he  paced  the  bare,  little  parlour. 

"  He'd  been  defrauded  of  his  pay  and  had  looked  on 
the  evil  as  well  as  on  the  good,  but  still  he  pleaded  like 
a  born  advocate  for  his  calling — his  art;  and  spite  of 
his  troubles  there  was  a  blithe  look  in  his  face  which 
sore  perplexes  me." 

He  walked  to  and  fro  many  times,  finally  he  took 
a  Bible  from  the  shelf  and  turned  over  the  pages  until 
he  came  to  the  words  he  sought.  They  were  these:  "  The 
joy  of  the  Lord  is  your  strength." 

"  It  was  that  his  look  kept  bringing  before  me,"  he 
said  to  himself,  and  he  sighed  because  he  knew  that  there 
was  too  little  of  the  element  of  joy  in  his  life,  and  that 
he  plodded  on  from  day  to  day,  considering  religion  a 
privilege  and  a  duty,  but  somehow  missing  the  gladness 
which  might  have  been  his.  Ealph  meanwhile,  much 
refreshed  by  the  rest  and  food  and  by  his  host's  kindly 
words,  tramped  on  contentedly  enough  through  the 
wild,  desolate  country  which  led  to  Grantown.  The  sun 
was  jupt  potting  as  he  reached  the  village;  workmen  were 
making  their  way  homeward,  some  children  with  little, 
dusty,  bare  feet  were  playing  battledore  and  shuttlecock 
in  the  road,  the  ruddy  light  on  their  hair  looked  like 
burnished  copper. 

"  Come  awa  bairns,  it's  time  ye  were  a'  in  bed,"  called 
a  comely  mother  standing  in  the  open  doorway  of  one 
of  the  houses. 


WAYFARING  MEN  141 

"  Just  a  wee  whilie,"  pleaded  the  children. 

"  Ah! "  she  replied,  3-ielding  under  protest,  "  You're 
an  awfu'  care  to  me!  " 

But  there  was  love  and  pride  in  her  eyes  nevertheless, 
as  she  watched  their  play. 

Ealph  sighed  a  little  as  he  tramped  on.  He  was  now 
both  hungry  and  tired,  and  began  to  consider  his  plans; 
it  was  quite  clear  that  he  could  not  afTord  the  price  of 
a  bed,  and  it  was  still  too  light  to  venture  upon  such  shel- 
ter as  might  be  found  in  barns  or  under  hedges.  He 
turned  into  a  baker's  shop,  secured  a  good-sized  stale 
loaf,  and  then  for  want  of  anything  better  to  do,  found 
his  way  to  the  railway  station  where  he  amused  himself 
by  looking  out  trains  which  he  had  no  money  to  travel 
by,  after  which,  having  had  the  good  fortune  to  find  a 
Glasgoio  Herald  in  the  waiting-room,  left  behind  by 
some  traveller,  he  read  until  it  was  quite  dusk.  The 
quiet  little  place  roused  into  a  sort  of  activity  about  a 
quarter  past  eight  when  two  trains  arrived,  one  from 
Perth,  the  other  from  Elgin,  and  Ralph  sauntered  on  to 
the  platform  with  a  faint  hope  that  he  might  see  some 
face  that  he  knew — he  could  almost  in  his  loneliness 
have  welcomed  the  Skoots!  But  very  few  passengera 
alighted,  and  directly  they  had  been  seen  off  the  premises 
the  porters  began  to  lock  up  for  the  night — no  more 
trains  were  expected. 

"  After  all,"  reflected  Ralph,  as  he  left  the  village  be- 
hind him,  and  tramped  along  the  highroad  in  the  ga- 
thering gloom, "  if  I  had  gone  out  to  the  colonies  I  should 
think  nothing  of  camping  out  for  a  night.  There's  no 
more  disgrace  in  it  here  than  there.  And  luckily  there's 
no  law,  as  there  is  in  England,  against  sleeping  under 
a  hedge,  I  can't  be  had  up  as  a  vagrant  in  Scotland. 
Now,  if  only  I  had  not  been  forced  to  sell  Macneillie's 
knife  it  would  have  been  handy  enough  for  cutting  this 
loaf  which  must  certainly  have  come  out  of  the  Ark." 


142  WAYFARING  MEM 

He  wrenched  off  the  top  with  difficulty  and  laughed  to 
himself  as  he  thought  how  horrified  Lady  Mactavish 
would  be,  could  she  see  him  now  in  the  shabbiest  of 
clothes,  tramping  a  dusty  road  and  munching  stale 
bread  as  he  went. 

"  Most  certainly  I  should  have  Sir  Matthew's  chari- 
table dole  of  ten  pounds  thrust  into  my  hand,"  he  said, 
•with  an  exulting  sense  that  come  what  would,  he  would 
never  apply  for  that  relief.  "  Rather  than  go  to  him  for 
help,  I  would  willingly  turn  into  that  Refuge  for  desti- 
tute men  at  Edinburgh,  which  we  saw  as  we.  walked 
down  the  Canongate."  He  shuddered  a  little  as  the 
recollection  came  to  him  of  the  sort  of  man  he  had  seen 
seeking  shelter  there.  At  any  rate  out  of  doors  he  would 
have  fresh  air  and  no  companions  in  misery. 

He  must  have  walked  nearly  five  miles  from  the  vil- 
lage, before  he  saw  in  the  faint  starlight  a  large  farm- 
house with  many  outbuildings.  "  This  is  the  place  for 
me,"  he  thought,  making  his  way  into  the  yard:  but  he 
had  yet  to  learn  the  difficulties  before  him.  The  doora 
of  a  hopeful-looking  barn  were  securely  fastened,  and, 
as  he  crossed  the  yard  to  some  other  outbuildings,  up 
sprang  a  huge  dog  from  his  kennel,  with  angry  growls 
and  fierce  barks.  He  walked  up  to  the  mastiff,  witli 
swift,  light  steps,  patted  its  head,  fondled  its  ears,  and 
explained  to  it  the  situation.  The  dog  was  moHified, 
understood  that  the  intruder's  intentions  were  honour- 
able, and  even  licked  his  hand,  which  Ralph  took  very 
kindly. 

Looking  round  searchingly,  he  made  out,  at  last,  a 
sort  of  open  shed,  near  the  stables,  and  moving  across 
to  this,  had  the  good  fortune  to  discover  a  cart  with 
tniRSPs  of  hay  in  it. 

"  This  will  exactly  suit  me,  my  friend,"  he  said,  with 
a  farewell  pat  to  the  dog.  "May  you  sleep  as  comfor- 
tably in  that  lordly  kennel  of  j-ours! "    And,  so  saying 


OJ 


IVAVrARIXC  MEN  143 

he  climbed  up  into  the  cart,  stowed  the  remains  of  his 
loaf  in  a  safe  place,  and  with  deft  hands  had  soon  made 
himself  as  warm  a  bed  as  could  be  desired,  out  of  the 
hay. 

He  slept  soundly,  being  healthily  tired  with  his  long 
walk — so  soundly,  indeed,  that  though  cocks  and  hens 
and  ducks  and  turkeys,  all  began,  at  an  early  hour,  to 
blend  their  voices  in  a  countrified,  but  scarcely  musical 
chorus,  he  heard  nothing.  In  his  dream.  Miss  Bromj)- 
ton,  in  a  waterproof,  was  thumping  out  "  Scots  wha 
hae,"  between  the  acts;  and  presently,  when  certain 
strange  rumblings  slightly  disturbed  him,  he  dreamed 
that  it  was  the  thunder  in  the  first  scene  of  "  Macbeth," 
finally  waking  himself  up  by  laughing  at  the  comical 
sight  presented  by  Mrs.  Skoot  as  she  vainly  tried  to  drag 
him  out  of  his  witch's  cloak  that  he  might  appear  as 
Malcolm.  Her  angry,  impatient  face  convulsed  him  with 
mirth,  and  it  was  with  no  small  bewilderment  that  he 
awoke  to  find  himself  struggling  out  of  a  heap  of  hay, 
while  from  above,  the  amazed  face  of  a  red-whiskered 
man  gazed  down  upon  him.  The  rustic's  round,  light- 
grey  eyes  had  a  scared  look,  and  Ealph  suddenly  remem- 
bered where  he  was,  and  began  to  apologise  and  explain. 
The  cart  no  longer  stood  in  the  shed,  but  had  rumbled 
out  into  the  highroad,  and  the  driver  had  evidently  no 
intention  of  proceeding,  while  his  uncanny  visitant  still 
remained  among  the  hay. 

"  Gude  preserve  us!"  he  exclaimed,  "1  was  thinkin' 
the  cart  was  bewitched  when  I  barkened  to  yon  fear- 
some laughter." 

Ealph  shook  off  the  hay  and  leapt  lightly  into  the 
road;  his  agility  and  grace  seemed  to  strike  still  deeper 
awe  into  the  heart  of  the  countryman,  who  stared  like  one 
fascinated. 

"A  doot  you  hef  brought  luck  with  you  to  the  farm, 
sir,"  he  said,  looking  down  into  the  comely  face  and 


144  WAYFARING  MEN 

laughing  eyes  of  his  astonishing  guest.  "  And  there  would 
hef  ben  a  bowl  o'  milk  set  for  you  had  you  bin  expeckit. 
But  it  will  be  a  fery  long  time  since  the  Brownies  hef 
veesited  us,  and  there's  bin  nae  luck  aboot  the  farm  for 
mony  a  year." 

"  Great  Scott!  the  man  thinks  I'm  a  '  Eobin  Goodf el- 
low'  or  a  warlock!"  thought  Ealph,  highly  amused. 
"  And  he's  far  too  much  afraid  of  me  to  offer  me  a  ride 
in  his  cart." 

"  I'm  just  a  wayfaring  man,"  he  tried  to  explain. 
"  Very  grateful  for  the  shelter  of  your  hay-cart  on  a  cold 
night." 

"  Oh,  ay,"  said  the  carter,  still  evidently  holding  to 
his  own  opinion.  "  And  it  is  fery  glad  we  are  to  be  seein' 
you,  sir.  And  a  ken  weel  that  it's  na  for  human  bein's 
to  come  into  our  place  at  night.  Lassie  wad  bark  till 
ilka  soul  in  the  hoose  was  wakened,  and  she  will  be  %ing 
at  the  thrapple  o'  ony  mortal  man.  But  dogs  hef  aye 
descreemination  to  tell  the  Brownies  when  they  see  them. 
I  will  be  wishin'  you  gude  day,  sir." 

And  so  saying,  he  drove  off  hastily,  leaving  Ralph  to 
trudge  along  in  solitude,  until  catching  sight  of  a  stream 
at  a  little  distance  from  the  road,  he  reflected  that  the 
best  things  in  life  were  to  be  had  free  of  charge,  and  that 
a  morning  bath  would  freshen  him  for  the  day. 

As  for  the  driver  he  chanced  to  look  back  from  a  dis- 
tance, and  catching  sight  of  his  uncanny  visitor  just  as 
he  took  a  header  into  the  water,  was  for  ever  confirmed  in 
his  opinion  that  he  had  seen  and  spoken  with  a  Brownie. 

The  second  day's  walk  proved  even  more  enjoyable 
than  the  first  had  done,  except  that  there  was  no  kindly 
old  minister  to  provide  a  midday  meal.  But  the  sense  of 
freedom,  the  bracing  air,  and  the  loveliness  of  the  road 
beside  the  river  Spey,  with  glimpses  every  now  and  then 
of  the  Cairn  Gorm  range,  were  things  to  be  remembered 
through  a  lifetime.     With  Aviemore  specially,  he  was 


WAYFARING  MEN  145 

delighted.  He  began  to  weave  plans  for  the  future,  and 
to  dream  of  wandering  with  Evereld  among  those  ex- 
quisite hills  with  their  craggy  rocks  cropping  out  here 
and  there  from  between  dark  pines  and  delicately  fresh 
birches,  while  beyond  there  stretched  great  pine  woods, 
and  mountains  whose  summits  were  still  white  with  snow. 
Kingussie  furnished  him  with  bread  and  with  a  some- 
what draughty  sleeping  apartment  in  the  ruined  castle 
which  goes  by  the  name  of  the  Euthven  Barracks;  but 
the  night  air  was  keen,  and  many  a  time  he  longed  for  the 
warmth  and  comfort  of  the  hay-cart.  There  was  some- 
thing dreary,  too,  in  the  desolate  shell  of  the  old  resi- 
dence of  the  Comyns,  and  he  awoke  with  a  feeling  of  de- 
pression which  was  curiously  foreign  to  him.  The  morn- 
ing was  cloudy,  and  the  waters  of  the  Spey  felt  icy  cold 
as  he  plunged  into  them;  however,  the  walk  through 
Glen  Tromie  which  the  old  minister  had  specially  recom- 
mended to  him  soon  made  him  warm  enough,  and  the 
wild  beauty  of  Loch  Seilich,  and  its  surrounding  preci- 
pices fully  justified  the  praises  which  his  guide  had  be- 
stowed on  them.  He  rested  for  some  little  while  by  the 
loch,  ate  his  last  crust,  and  counted  over,  as  a  miser 
counts  his  gold,  the  three  pence  which  must  somehow 
carry  him  to  Glasgow. 

"  I  must  certainly  eat  less,"  he  reflected,  ruefully,  hav- 
ing only  dared  the  previous  night  to  buy  a  pennyworth 
of  bread.  "  The  worst  of  it  is  this  mountain  air  makes 
one  so  confoundedly  hungry.  I  shall  soon  be  reduced  to 
eating  birds'  eggs,  or  to  singing  in  front  of  village  ale- 
houses in  the  hope  of  earning  money." 

His  reverie  was  interrupted  by  the  falling  of  some 
heavy  drops  of  rain;  he  set  out  once  more  on  his  walk 
seeing  plainly  enough  from  the  threatening  sky  that  a 
storm  was  at  hand.  It  came  indeed  with  a  speed  which 
surprised  him.  Clouds,  which  blotted  out  the  landscape, 
hemmed  him  in;  the  rising  wind  roared  through  the  \nlds 


146  WAYFARING  MEN 

of  Gaick,  and  the  rain  came  down  in  sheets,  blinding  and 
drenching  him,  for  no  mackintosh  yet  invented  could 
have  stood  the  pitiless  deluge  wliich  showed  no  sign  of 
abating,  but  rather  increased  in  violence.  Worst  of  all, 
he  missed  his  path  so  that  there  was  not  even  the  com- 
fort of  knowing  that  every  step  was  bringing  him  nearer 
his  destination.  On  the  contrary,  he  began  to  fear  that 
he  had  altogether  lost  himself. 

The  further  he  went  the  more  hopeless  he  grew;  he  was 
wet  to  the  skin,  ever)'  bone  in  his  body  ached,  and  no  sign 
of  a  track  was  to  be  found.  It  seemed  to  him  that  he  was 
the  only  living  creature  in  this  vast  solitude,  and  his  de-' 
light  was  unbounded  when  at  length,  through  the  dri- 
ving rain  and  mist,  he  caught  sight  of  a  figure  approaching 
him.  A  collie  sprang  forward  and  barked,  and  was  called 
back  by  its  master,  a  tall,  manly  figure  with  a  crook  in 
his  hand,  and  under  his  arm  an  ugly  little  black  lamb. 
He  seemed  not  unlike  a  picture  of  the  Good  Shepherd, 
and  Ealph  instantly  felt  confidence  in  the  clear,  kindly 
eyes  which  looked  out  at  him  in  a  friendly  fashion  from 
beneath  the  Scotch  bonnet;  there  was  something  noble 
and  winning  in  this  dark-bearded  Highlander. 

"  Can  you  put  me  into  the  track  for  Dalnacardoch?  " 
asked  Ralph,  as  he  returned  the  shepherd's  greeting.  "  I 
have  lost  my  way  in  the  mist." 


CHAPTER    XV 

"  Through  ways  unlooked  for,  and  through  many  lands, 
Far  from  the  rich  folds  built  with  human  hands, 
The  gracious  footprints  of  His  love  I  trace." 

Lowell. 

Angus  Linklater  was  in  no  danger  of  mistaking  the 
traveller  for  a  Brownie;  one  of  his  long,  keen  glances  told 
him  much  of  the  truth  about  Ralph,  for  he  had  the  rare 
gift  of  insight  and  his  kindly  heart  warmed  to  the  tired 
wayfarer. 

He  at  onee  protested  that  it  was  out  of  the  question  to 
go  on  in  such  weather  to  Dalnacardoch,  and  invited 
Ralph  to  take  shelter  in  his  cottage,  which  was  but  a  few 
minutes'  walk. 

Ralph  hesitated  for  a  moment.  The  rain  streamed 
down  his  face  and  neck,  his  boots  felt  like  a  couple  of 
reservoirs,  and  the  thought  of  shelter  was  very  tempting. 

"  I  will  tell  you  just  how  it  is  with  me,"  he  said;  "  I 
have  but  a  few  pence  left  and  must  reach  Stirling  before 
I  have  a  chance  of  getting  my  letters  and  further  sup- 
plies. I  think  I  must  press  on,  for  there  is  no  time  to  be 
lost." 

"  Put  ony  thought  o'  troublin'  us  oot  o'  your  head,  sir," 
said  Angus,  instantly  reading  his  companion's  thoughts, 
and  beginning  to  walk  on  beside  him.  "  The  hame  is 
just  a  but  and  a  ben,  and  you're  kindly  welcome  to  a' 
that  we  can  gie  you  in  the  way  o'  food  and  shelter  for  the 


night.' 


M7 


148  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  You  are  very  good,"  said  Ealph.  "  If  you  can  con- 
veniently take  me  in  I  shall  be  thankful.  But  don't  be 
putting  yourselves  out  for  me.  When  I  tell  you  that  I 
slept  last  night  in  the  ruins  of  the  old  castle  at  Kingussie, 
and  in  a  hay-cart  near  Grantown  the  night  before,  you 
will  see  that  to  be  under  a  roof  at  all  will  be  a  luxury  to 
me." 

He  laughed.  The  shepherd  gave  him  another  of  those 
sympathetic,  discerning  looks. 

"  You  have  had  trouble  I  see,"  he  said.  "  But  I'm 
thinkin'  that  you're  meetin'  it  in  the  right  way." 

"  Oh,"  said  Ealph  lightly,  "  I'm  just  an  actor  out  of 
work.  For  several  weeks  we  have  had  plenty  to  do  and 
no  money;  now  we  have  neither  money  nor  work,  and  I 
am  hoping  to  get  into  another  company." 

"  It's  no  right  that  ony  man  should  work  without 
wages,"  said  Angus;  "  it's  clean  against  Scripture.  But 
just  for  a  wee  while  I'm  thinkin'  that  it's  maybe  no  sic 
an  ill  thing  for  us  to  learn  that  a  man's  life  consisteth  not 
in  the  abundance  o'  the  things  which  he  possesseth." 

"  Well,  it's  not  hard  to  agree  to  that  now  that  I'm 
close  to  your  house,"  said  Ralph,  "  but  I'll  confess  to  you 
that  I  was  beginning  to  despair  before  I  met  you," 

"  Ay,"  said  Angus,  a  smile  crossing  his  face,  "  Ilka  ane 
o'  us  is  apt  to  be  like  this  stray  lamb  that  was  tryin'  to 
mak'  its  way  hanie  and  was  scairt  almost  to  death  with 
encounterin'  decfficulties.  It  might  have  lied  the  sense 
to  know  that  as  the  sayin'  goes,  '  Where  twa  are  seekin' 
they're  sure  to  find.'  " 

"  Is  that  one  of  your  Scottish  proverbs?  "  said  Ealph, 
struck  by  the  beauty  of  the  thought. 

"  Ay,  it  is,  sir,  and  it  often  comes  to  my  mind  when  I'm 
after  the  sheep.  Ye  mauna  despair  though  you're  oot  o' 
wark.  We  are  maist  o'  us  ready  to  say  *  The  Lord's  my 
shepherd,'  but  at  the  first  glint  o'  trouble  we  change  the 
psalm  and  say  'but  I'm  terrible  feart  that  I'll  come  to 
want.' " 


WAYFARING  MEN  149 

There  was  a  sort  of  dry  linmour  in  his  manner  of  say- 
ing these  last  words,  and  Jialph  smiled. 

"  I  see  you  are  a  thought-reader,"  he  said,  "  as  well  as 
a  thinker." 

"  Oh,  as  for  that,"  said  the  shepherd,  "  those  that 
spend  their  lives  amang  the  mountains  have  aye  mickle 
time  for  thinkin'.  It's  a  gran'  preevilege  to  be  set  to 
mind  the  sheep." 

They  were  now  within  sight  of  the  cottage  and  Angus 
Linklater  led  the  way  through  a  little  garden;  at  the 
sound  of  their  footsteps  his  wife  opened  the  door,  it 
seemed  almost  as  though  she  were  expecting  her  husband 
to  bring  some  one  back  with  him,  but  after  one  glance  at 
the  visitor  her  eagerness  died  away;  she  was  a  grave 
woman  with  dark  hair  parted  plainly  beneath  her  white 
mutch,  and  with  a  certain  sadness  in  her  eyes  and  in  her 
voice.  Her  welcome  was,  however,  as  hearty  as  the 
shepherd's  and  before  long  she  had  furnished  Ealph  with 
her  husband's  Sunday  garments  and  was  busily  prepar- 
ing tea.  When  the  tired  traveller  emerged  again  from 
the  back  room  in  dry  clothes,  he  thought  nothing  had 
ever  looked  more  comfortable  than  that  homely  little 
kitchen  with  its  fire  of  logs,  its  old  grandfather  clock, 
and  its  quaint,  corner  cupboard,  black  with  age.  Some 
lines  of  Stevenson's  came  to  his  mind  as  Mrs.  Linklater 
made  room  for  him  by  the  hearth. 

"  Nog  is  the  soopit  ingle  sweet, 
An'  liltin'  kettle." 

Delicious  too  was  the  tea  and  the  oatcake  after  his 
monotonous  bread  and  water  diet.  Angus  was  still  out 
attending  to  the  lamb  he  had  brought  home,  and  Ealph 
wondered  whether  the  shepherd  and  his  wife  lived  alone 
in  this  quiet  place.  Among  the  few  books  on  the  shelf, 
he  noticed,  however,  sundry  modern  adventuring  books 
which  had  been  the  delight  of  his  childhood.     "  I  see  you 


i:o  WAYFARING  MEN 

liave  some  children,"  he  said,  finding  liis  hostess  not 
nearly  so  talkative  as  the  shepherd  had  been. 

"  We  hae  a  son,"  she  replied,  her  eyes  filling  with 
tears,  and  crossing  the  room  she  took  down  "  The  Dog 
Crusoe  "  and  showed  him  the  inscription  on  the  flyleaf. 

It  was  a  prize  for  good  conduct  awarded  to  Dugald 
Linklater.  Ealph  instantly  felt  that  he  had  touched  on 
a  sore  subject  but  whether  the  son  were  dead  or  a  source 
of  trouble  to  the  mother  he  could  not  guess.  The  book 
was  still  in  his  hand  when  Angus  returned. 

"  Ah,"  he  said,  with  a  sigh,  "  you're  lookin'  at  puir 
Dugald's  prizes.  We've  lost  him,  sir.  But  he'll  come 
hame  yet.     I'm  no  dootin'  that.     He'll  come  hame." 

Little  by  little  Ealph  gathered  the  facts  of  the  case. 
It  seemed  that  Dugald  had  been  a  clever  and  promising 
lad,  that  Lord  Ederline  having  a  fancy  for  him  had  taken 
him  as  his  valet,  and  for  a  time  all  had  gone  well.  But 
London  life  had  proved  too  full  of  temptation  for  the 
young  Scotsman,  the  betting  mania  had  seized  him,  and 
had  swiftly  dragged  him  down,  until  ruined,  and  dis- 
graced he  had  disappeared  into  those  hidden  depths 
which  are  sought  by  the  failures  of  all  classes.  It  was 
now  three  years  since  anything  had  been  heard  of  him, 
but  the  father  and  mother  still  lived  in  the  belief  that  he 
would  return,  and  Ealph  understood  now  the  expectant 
look  which  he  had  noticed  in  the  sad  face  of  his  hostess 
as  he  walked  up  the  garden  path  with  her  husband. 

The  absent  son  seemed  to  dominate  their  thoughts  and 
it  was  with  something  almost  like  envy  that  Ealph,  in 
his  singularly  desolate  life,  thought  of  this  apparent 
waste  of  love.  Was  it  pride,  or  shame  or  sheer  wicked- 
ness that  kept  Dugald  away  from  such  a  home,  he  won- 
dered? 

The  Linklaters  kept  very  early  hours,  and  after  "  ta- 
king the  Book  "  and  "  composing  their  minds  to  wor- 
ship," they  bade  their  guest  good-night.     A  bed  had 


WAYFARING  MEN  151 

been  extemporised  for  him  on  a  comfortable  old  settle 
where,  with  the  shepherd's  plaid  to  keep  him  warm,  he 
thought  himself  in  luxurious  quarters.  But  sleep  would 
not  come  to  him  at  that  hour  in  the  evening  and  he  lay 
for  a  long  time  watching  the  ruddy  glow  from  the  dying 
fire  on  the  hearth  and  musing  over  many  things.  He 
was  glad  that  the  storm  had  overtaken  him  and  that  he 
had  found  shelter  in  this  Highland  cottage,  for  in  its  at- 
mosphere there  was  something  curiously  peaceful  and 
homelike.  It  was  many,  many  years  since  he  had  felt  so 
much  at  one  with  any  household — almost  it  seemed  to 
him  like  a  return  to  his  old  home.  For,  perhaps,  noth- 
ing has  more  effect  on  a  sensitive,  receptive  mind  than 
moral  atmosphere;  while  those  sweet,  subtle  associations, 
which  are  the  aftermath  of  a  happy  childhood,  are  more 
readily  awakened  by  this  native  air  of  the  soul  than  by 
things  which  can  be  actually  seen. 

He  took  leave  the  next  morning  with  a  sense  that 
these  people  had  become  his  friends,  and  that  somehow 
they  would  meet  again.  The  shepherd  would  fain  have 
helped  him  on  his  way,  but  he  knew  better  than  to  offer 
what  his  guest  would  little  like  to  receive;  nor  did  he.  of 
course,  realise  how  very  few  were  the  pence  still  remain- 
ing to  him.  They  gave  him  the  best  breakfast  the  house 
would  furnish,  and  Mrs.  Linklater  insisted  on  wrapping 
up  a  shepherd's  pasty,  which  she  said  would  make  a 
luncheon  for  him;  then,  with  kindly  cordiality,  they  bade 
him  farewell,  begging  him  to  let  them  know  how  he 
prospered. 

Cheered  by  their  friendliness,  Ealph  walked  in  very 
good  spirits  through  the  Gaick  Forest  to  Dalnacardoch, 
and  thence,  after  a  brief  rest,  made  his  way  southward  to 
Tummel  Bridge.  The  air  felt  fresh  after  the  storm  and 
walking  was  delightful,  but  he  found  no  friendly  shep- 
herd's cottage  to  shelter  him,  and  passed  a  very  cold  and 
comfortless  night  under  the  shelter  of  a  rick,  which 


15^  WAYFARING  MEN 

proved  distinctly  iincomforta'ble  as  sleeping  quarters. 
Twice  he  was  roused  by  mice  running  over  his  face,  and 
in  the  dead  of  night  a  groan  and  the  falling  of  some 
heavy  object  at  his  very  feet  made  him  start  up.  It 
proved  to  be  a  drunken  and  very  dirty  tramp,  whose 
neighbourhood  was  highly  undesirable,  and  Ralph  shift- 
ed his  quarters  to  the  other  side  of  the  rick  where  the 
keen,  north-east  wind  was  far  from  pleasant.  He  woke 
again  in  the  grey  dawn,  feeling  stiff  and  miserable.  The 
tramp  still  retained  the  leeward  side  of  the  rick,  so  there 
■was  nothing  for  it  but  to  resume  his  journey,  and  gradu- 
ally the  morning  mist  cleared  and  the  sun  rose,  reveal- 
ing the  fine  outline  of  Schiehallion  and  chasing  away  the 
chill  discomfort  of  the  night.  Indeed,  by  the  time 
Ealph  had  reached  the  village  of  Portingall,  he  was  both 
hot  and  sleepy,  and  finding  the  kirkyard  deserted,  he 
lay  down  on  a  sunny  patch  of  grass,  with  his  head  rest- 
ing on  one  of  the  stone  ledges  that  flanked  the  railings 
round  the  famous  yew  tree  of  three  thousand  years  old. 
How  long  he  slept  he  could  not  tell,  but  he  awoke  at 
length  to  the  consciousness  of  hunger.  Having  eaten  all 
the  bread  he  had  saved  from  the  previous  night,  he  wan- 
dered towards  the  kirk,  and  hearing  the  sound  of  a  voice 
through  the  open  windows,  realised  for  the  first  time 
that  it  was  Sunday.  The  preacher  was  giving  out  the 
One  hundred  and  twenty-first  psalm,  and  pausing  to 
listen,  he  heard,  to  the  familiar  tune  of  "French/'  the 
following  quaint  metrical  version. 

"  T  to  the  hills  will  lift  mine  eyes, 
From  whence  doth  eome  my  aid? 
My  safety  cometh  from  the  Lord, 
Who  heav'n  and  earth  hath  made. 
Thy  foot  he'll  not  let  slide  nor  will 
He  slnmher  that  thee  keeps. 
■Rehold  ITe  that  keeps  Israel 
He  slumbers  not  nor  sleeps. 


WAYFARING  MEN  153 

"  The  Lord  thee  keeps,  the  Lord  thy  shade 
On  thy  right  hand  doth  stay; 
The  moon  by  nig-ht  thee  shall  not  smite, 
Nor  yet  the  sun  by  day. 
The  Lord  shall  keep  thy  soul;  he  shall 
Preserve  thee  from  all   ill. 
Henceforth  thy  going  out  and  in 
God  keep  for  ever  will." 

As  the  last  words  were  sung,  Ealph  made  his  way  to 
the  door  and  entered  the  little  building,  just  as  the  con- 
gregation stood  up  to  pray.  He  felt,  as  he  had  done 
in  the  shepherd's  cottage,  that  sense  of  fellowship  which 
was  what  he  needed  in  his  loneliness;  nor  could  the 
length  of  the  sermon,  with  its  bewildering  array  of 
heads,  spoil  for  hira  that  May  morning,  and  the  strength- 
ening influence  of  the  calm  worship  hour,  which  seemed 
to  him  more  spiritual,  more  grand  in  its  simplicity,  than 
elaborately  ornate  and  showy  ceremonials. 

He  went  on  his  way  refreshed,  and,  taking  the  road 
to  Fearnan,  soon  reached  the  shores  of  Loch  Tay.  Away 
in  the  distance  Ben  Lawers  rose  rugged  and  stern  against 
the  pale  blue  of  the  sky,  and  the  walk  left  nothing  to 
be  wished  in  the  way  of  beauty.  The  only  drawback 
was  the  growing  sense  of  fatigue  that  come  over  him. 
He  wondered  that  a  walk  of  eighteen  miles  could  so  ex- 
haust him.  It  was  true  he  had  been  out  of  training 
when  he  started  from  Forres,  and  had  walked  many  miles 
each  day  upon  short  rations,  but  he  was  dismayed  to 
find  that  his  powers  of  endurance  were  not  greater. 

It  was  evening  by  the  time  he  reached  the  Bridge  of 
Lochay,  and  learnt  that  he  was  within  a  mile  of  Killin. 
Feeling  now  tired  out,  he  resolved  to  go  no  further; 
moreover,  he  had  learnt  from  experience  that  it  was  bet- 
ter to  sleep  at  a  little  distance  from  towns  or  villages. 
He  paused  to  talk  to  an  old  labouring  man  who  was 
leaning  over  the  bridge.    To  the  left  there  was  a  lovely 


154  WAYFARING  MEN 

little  wood  closely  shutting  in  the  river;  to  the  right, 
the  stream  wound  its  way  through  green  hayfields,  and 
on  through  the  wild  beauty  of  Glen  Lochay  to  the  dis- 
tant hills  which  were  bathed  now  in  a  mellow,  sunset 
light.  Learning  from  his  companion  that  he  could  get 
food  close  at  hand,  Ealph  made  his  way  to  the  little  white 
old-fashioned  inn  just  beyond  the  bridge.  Its  walls  were 
covered  with  creepers,  its  garden  gay  with  flowers,  and  in 
the  porch  were  two  comfort-able  chairs.  The  landlady 
seemed  a  little  surprised  at  his  request  for  two  penny 
worth  of  bread:  she  would  have  been  yet  more  surprised 
had  she  known  that  he  gave  her  his  very  last  coins  in 
pajTnent;  for  the  rest,  she  answered  his  questions  about 
Kilhn,  and  the  distance  from  thence  to  Callander,  and 
let  him  rest  as  long  as  he  liked  in  the  porch,  bidding  hira 
a  friendly  good-night  when  at  dusk  he  once  more  re- 
sumed his  journey.  Evidently  the  inn  closed  early  on 
the  Sabbath,  for  Ralph  heard  the  door  shut  and  bolted 
behind  him. 

He  paused,  and  looked  round  in  search  of  shelter. 
Xot  far  off,  the  ground  sloped  steeply  up,  and  fir-trees 
were  planted  about  it.  Climbing  over  the  low  stone  wall, 
he  made  his  way  towards  a  fallen  tree,  the  wide-spread- 
ing roots  of  which  pointed  darkly  up  against  the  twilight 
bky.  It  lay  just  as  it  had  fallen  in  a  wintry  gale,  its 
rough  bark  was  veiled  here  and  there  by  clumps  of  brake 
fern,  and  the  turf  still  grew  between  the  roots  as  it  had 
grown  when  the  tree  was  torn  out  of  the  earth  by  the 
storm.  It  proved  a  good  shelter  from  the  cold  night 
wind,  and  Kalph  crept  closely  down  beneath  it,  and  soon 
slept.  His  sleep,  however,  was  disturbed  by  horrible 
dreams,  and  when  in  the  early  morning  he  awoke  unre- 
freshed  and  with  aching  head,  he  felt  no  inclination  to 
stay  longer  in  his  lair.  Stretching  his  stiff  limbs,  he 
stood  for  a  minute  looking  at  the  wonderful  view  befor;? 
him.    Beyond  the  river  there  lay  a  grand  panorama  of 


WAYFARING  MEN  155 

mountains;  here  and  there  were  large  plantations  of  fir, 
then  came  wild,  bare  tracks  of  heather,  black  and  cheer- 
less now  without  its  bloom,  but  relieved  at  intervals  by 
grey  boulders  and  patches  of  grass,  while  little,  white 
cottages  were  dotted,  like  rare  pearls,  about  the  land- 
scape. 

A  good  swim  in  the  river  revived  him,  after  which  he 
went  on  to  Killin,  and,  seeing  little  chance  of  selling  his 
mackintosh  there,  hoped  for  better  luck  that  night  at 
Callander;  and  learning  that  there  was  a  short  cut  to 
Glen  Ogle,  left  the  road  and  struck  across  the  mountain- 
side, gaining,  as  he  walked,  fine  views  of  Ben  Vorlich. 
Toiling  up  in  the  sun  proved  warm  work,  however,  and 
by  the  time  he  reached  the  gloomy,  narrow  glen  he  was 
thankful  to  wait  and  rest.  He  wondered  whether  it  was 
the  effect  of  the  place  or  merely  his  own  fault  that  such 
deadly  depression  began  to  creep  over  him.  The  stern, 
purple  mountains  seemed  to  frown  on  him,  the  tiny 
stream  down  below  in  the  middle  of  the  glen  looked  mis- 
erably insutficient  for  its  wide,  rocky  bed,  and  the  lin- 
gering mists  of  early  morning  still  hung  about  in  weird 
wreaths.  This  was  the  sixth  day  on  which  he  had  been 
a  vagabond,  and  he  began  to  wonder  whether  he  should 
ever  reach  Glasgow.  With  an  effort  he  shook  off  for  a 
time  the  sense  of  impending  evil,  and  forced  himself  to 
eat  the  remains  of  the  loaf  he  had  bought  on  the  previ- 
ous night. 

"  Now,"  he  thought  to  himself,  as  once  more  he 
tramped  on,  "  I  am  bound,  whatever  happens,  to  reach 
Callander  this  evening.  I  must  walk  or  starve;  that  will 
be  a  good  sort  of  goad." 

The  road  was  mostly  down  hill,  and  he  made  a  brave 
start,  passed  Loch  Earn,  which  lay  far  below  in  the  val- 
ley, looking  exquisitely  lovely  in  the  May  sunshine,  and 
then  toiled  up  again  towards  Strath^Te,  pausing  only  to 
ask  for  some  water  at  a  grey,  slate-roofed  farm  on  the 


156  WAYFARING  MEN 

outskirts  of  the  village.  Here  he  learned  the  comforting 
fact  that  it  was  but  "  eight  miles  and  a  bittock  "  to  Cal- 
lander, and  went  on  in  better  spirits.  Away  to  the  right 
he  caught  beautiful  glimpses  of  the  Braes  of  Balquhid- 
der,  and  at  last,  to  his  relief,  came  down  to  the  shores  of 
Loch  Lubnaig. 

But  the  loch  was  nearly  five  miles  long,  and  before 
he  had  gone  half  its  length  such  intolerable  pain  and 
weariness  overpowered  him  that  he  could  hardly  drag 
one  foot  after  another.  He  was  forced  to  rest  for  a  while; 
then  once  more  blindly  staggered  on,  wondering  what 
was  going  to  happen  to  him  and  counting  the  milestones 
with  the  eagerness  of  despair.  At  length  the  loch  was 
passed,  and  the  two  railway  bridges.  He  knew  that  he 
must  be  in  the  Pass  of  Leny,  and  as  he  toiled  up  the  hill 
could  hear  the  rushing  sound  of  the  river  among  the 
trees  to  the  right.  Then  came  the  moment  when  he 
could  do  no  more,  but  sank  down  half-fainting  by  the 
roadside,  his  head  resting  on  a  rough  seat  which  had 
been  placed  against  the  wall.  How  long  he  lay  there 
he  could  not  tell,  but  he  was  roused  by  the  sound  of  foot- 
steps close  at  hand.  Half  opening  his  eyes  he  caught 
sight  of  two  hard-featured  men,  who  glanced  at  him 
critically  and  shrugged  their  shoulders. 

"  Drunk,"  he  heard  one  of  them  say,  "  and  as  early 
in  the  afternoon  as  this!  " 

The  words  rankled  in  poor  Ralph's  mind. 

"If  I  had  not  tried  to  be  honest  it  would  never  have 
come  to  this,"  he  reflected.  "  Because  my  clothes  are 
shabby  and  my  boots  in  holes  they  Judge  me.  Well,  it's 
what  tlic  poor  always  have  to  put  up  with! " 

He  dragged  himself  to  his  feet,  and,  noticing  for  the 
first  time  some  steps  in  the  wall  and  a  path  leading  down 
to  the  river,  thought  he  would  hide  his  misery  and  escape 
from  further  comments.  He  was  parched  with  thirst, 
too,  but  to  reach  the  wator  proved  hopeless.   Though  the 


WAYFARING  MEN  157 

river  was  swollen  with  the  recent  storm,  it  went  surging 
and  foaming  below  him  among  the  rocks  in  a  way  which 
made  him  feel  sick  and  giddy.  He  just  staggered  on  by 
the  narrow,  rocky  track  and  the  wooden  gallery  till  he 
reached  the  smoother  path  beyond,  which  led  into  a  little 
wood,  and  here  once  more  his  powers  deserted  him,  and 
he  again  lost  consciousness. 

When  he  came  to  himself  he  was  lying  uneasily  across 
the  path,  his  head  on  the  mossy  back  and  his  feet  hang- 
ing perilously  over  the  water.  It  just  crossed  his  mind 
that  he  might  easily  enough  have  lost  his  life  had  he 
fallen  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  he  wondered  dream- 
ily whether  it  would  not  have  simplified  matters,  yet, 
wretched  as  he  was,  he  felt  somehow  glad  to  be  alive. 
Away  in  the  distance  he  could  see  Ben  Ledi  rising  in  its 
tranquil  beauty  beyond  the  foaming  river.  There  was  a 
rocky  islet,  too,  in  the  centre  of  the  flood,  with  a  tall, 
stately  fir-tree  growing  upon  it,  the  dark  foliage  strongly 
contrasting  with  the  white  foam  and  the  vivid  green  of 
the  trees  on  the  further  bank.  To  his  fancy,  the  rushing 
river  seemed  to  ring  out  the  tune  of 

"  I  to  the  hills  will  lift  mine  eyes," 

as  he  had  heard  it  sung  on  the  previous  day  at  Fortingall 
Kirk. 

All  sorts  of  half-misty  memories  thronged  his  fevered 
brain.  He  thought  he  was  walking  again  with  Angus 
Linklater  as  he  carried  the  ugly  little  black  lamb;  or  he 
was  out  boating  with  his  father;  or  he  was  at  rehearsal, 
and  Mrs.  Skoot  was  wrathfully  haranguing  him. 
Through  all  these  feverish  fancies,  there  remained  the 
ever-present  consciousness  of  physical  misery,  and  the 
rankling  recollection  of  the  words  he  had  heard  from 
the  two  men  who  had  passed  him  on  the  road.  Pre- 
sently, yet  another  fancy  took  possession  of  him.     He 


ISS  WAYFARING  MEN 

was  sitting  with  Evereld  in  a  theatre,  and  could  dis-^ 
tinctly  hear  the  actual  words  of  Shylock's  part: 

"  What,  what,  what?   ill  luck,  ill  luck?  " 
"  I  thank  God,  I  thank  God.    Is't  true,  is't  true?  " 
"  I  thank  thee  good  Tubal;  good  news!    good  news!    ha, 
ha,  where?    In  Genoa?  " 

The  voice  was  certainly  not  Washington's.    He  was  puz- 
zled. 

"  Thou  stickest  a  dagger  in  me,"  it  resumed,  then  sud- 
denly broke  off,  and  in  the  pause  that  followed  he  heard 
steps  approaching.  He  opened  his  eyes,  but  saw  only 
the  familiar  xiew  of  Ben  Ledi  and  the  foaming  river. 
He  had  no  notion  that  just  behind  him  stood  a  tall, 
striking  figure,  and  that  some  one  was  keenly  studying 
him,  not  with  the  critical  harshness  of  the  passers-by 
in  the  road,  but  with  the  reverent  sympathetic  manner 
of  the  artist. 


CHAPTEE  XVI 

"  Every  man's  task  is  his  life-preserver.  The  conviction 
that  his  work  is  dear  to  God  and  cannot  be  spared,  defends 
him." — Emerson. 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  you?  "  asked  a  mellow,  pene- 
trating voice. 

Ralph  shifted  liis  position  a  little,  and  looking  round, 
saw  a  man  bending  over  him  with  a  curiously  attractive 
face,  chestnut-brown  hair  fast  turning  white,  large,  well- 
shaped,  blue-grey  eyes,  and  that  mobile  type  of  mouth 
which  specially  belongs  to  the  actor.  He  had  a  strange 
impression  of  having  lived  through  this  scene  before, 
and  in  a  moment  there  flashed  back  into  his  mind  a  rec- 
ollection of  his  first  day  at  Sir  Matthew's  house,  of  his 
adventure  in  the  park,  and  of  how  Macneillie  had  pulled 
him  out  of  the  water.  "  Oh,  is  it  you?"  he  cried,  with 
a  relief  that  could  hardly  have  been  greater  had  he  met 
an  old  friend. 

Macneillie  in  vain  racked  his  memory:  he  could  not 
in  the  least  recall  the  face.  However,  he  was  not  going 
to  betray  this.  "  Glad  I  came  across  you,"  he  said.  "  I 
often  come  down  here  by  the  river  to  study  a  part,  this 
path  is  little  frequented  till  the  tourist  season  begins. 
Let  me  see,  where  did  we  last  meet?  " 

"  You  will  hardly  remember  it,"  said  Ealph;  "  it  was 
at  Eichmond.  I  was  quite  a  small  boy  and  ran  up  to 
thank  you  for  having  pulled  me  out  of  the  water  a  few 

159 


i6o  WAV  FARING  MEN 

weeks  before  in  St.  James'  Park.  You  gave  me  your 
kuife." 

A  look  of  keen  and  sudden  interest  flashed  over  Mac- 
neillie's  face. 

"  Of  course!  "  he  exclaimed;  "I  remember  it  all  per- 
fectly. I'm  very  glad  to  have  come  across  you  again. 
"What  is  the  matter  now?  You  look  very  ill.  Are  you 
faking  a  walking  tour?" 

Eiilph  smiled.  "  I  set  out  from  Forres  last  "Wednes- 
day morning  with  sixpence  in  my  pocket/'  he  said.  "  It 
has  been  a  roughish  time." 

"  I  should  "think  so,  indeed,"  said  Macneillie,  glancing 
from  the  slightly-built  figure  to  the  thin,  finely-shaped 
hands,  and  realising  in  a  moment  how  little  fitted  this 
lad  was  to  endure  hardships.  "From  Forres  you  say? 
What  was  it  I  was  hearing  a  day  or  two  ago  about  Forres? 
Oh,  to  be  sure,  Skoot's  Company  came  to  grief  there." 

"  Yes,  I  was  in  the  company,"  said  Ealph.  "  Skoot 
left  us  in  the  lurch,  and  it  was  a  sort  of  sauve  qui  peut." 

"  So  you  belong  to  the  profession,"  said  Macneillie. 
"  That  gives  you  another  claim  upon  me.  Perhaps  you 
are  the  very  Mr.  Denmead  that  Miss  Kay  mentioned  in 
her  letter." 

"  Yes,  I  am  Ralph  Denmead.  Miss  Kay  promised  she 
would  inquire  if  you  had  any  opening  for  me." 

"  We'll  see  about  that,  but  in  the  meantime,  if  I'm 
not  much  mistaken,  the  influenza  fiend  means  to  work 
his  will  on  you.  By  the  look  of  you  I  should  say  that  you 
were  in  a  high  fever." 

"I  don't  know  what  is  the  matter  with  me,"  said 
Palph,  miserably.  "  I  suppose  I  fainted  just  now  in  the 
road.  I  know  that  a  priest  and  a  Icvite  looked  at  me, 
said  I  was  drunk,  and  passed  by  on  the  other  side." 

"  Trust  them  to  leap  to  the  worst  conclusions,"  said 
Macneillie.  "  It's  the  way  of  the  world.  But  come,  I 
must  somehow  contrive  to  get  you  to  my  house." 


WAYFARING  MEN  i6i 

111  and  exhausted,  Ralph  for  the  life  of  him  could  not 
keep  the  tears  out  of  his  eyes. 

"  You  are  very  kind,"  he  said,  brokenly;  "  but  I  didn't 
mean  to  thrust  the  part  of  Good  Samaritan  on  to  you. 
I'm  not  fit  to  come  to  a  decent  house." 

He  looked  down  at  his  travel-stained  clothes,  and  at 
the  holes  in  his  boots. 

"  Did  you  mean  to  lie  here  all  night?  "  said  Macneillie. 

"  No,  I  meant  to  get  on  as  far  as  Callander  and  to 
pawn  this  mackintosh.  I  am  better.  I'll  push  on  now. 
Perhaps  there  may  be  a  hospital." 

"  Well,  there  isn't,  as  it  happens,"  said  Macneillie, 
watching  him  attentively  as  he  struggled  to  his  feet; 
"  and  it's  two  miles  to  Callander,  and  if  you  think  I'm 
going  to  allow  you  to  walk  as  far  as  that  you're  much 
mistaken.  I'm  a  very  indifferent  Good  Samaritan,  ha- 
ving no  beast  to  set  you  on,  but  if  you'll  try  to  come  with 
me  to  the  little  village  of  Kilmahog  which  is  not  far  ofl! 
v/e  can  rest  at  a  cottage  I  know  of,  have  a  cup  of  tea,  and 
take  the  coach  from  the  Trossachs  which  will  pass  there 
in  about  an  hour.  As  for  your  scruples  in  coming  home 
with  me,  you  must  just  make  away  with  them.  My 
mother  has  often  received  me  in  quite  as  bad  a  plight 
years  ago  when  I  was  struggling  to  get  my  foot  on  the 
ladder.  We  most  of  us  have  to  go  through  it  unless  we 
happen  to  belong  to  an  old  professional  family." 

As  he  talked  he  had  slipped  his  arm  within  Ealph's, 
and  was  guiding  him  up  the  narrow  path,  which,  after 
a  steep  climb  landed  them  once  more  in  the  road.  With- 
out waiting  for  much  response  he  went  on,  telling  story 
after  story  of  his  own  early  days  as  an  actor,  and  at 
length  the  tiny  village  of  Kilmaliog  came  into  sight,  and 
they  paused  before  a  little,  low  white  cottage  with  a  pic- 
turesque porch  and  tiny  garden.  The  mistress  of  the 
house  seemed  delighted  to  see  her  visitor,  and  responded 
most  hospitably  to  his  request  for  a  cup  of  tea  while 


i62  WAYFARING  MEN 

they  waited  for  the  coach.  She  took  them  into  a  par- 
lour hung  round  with  sacred  pictures,  and  possessing  a 
most  curious  bed  made  on  a  sort  of  shelf  in  a  curtained 
recess.  Ealph  looked  longingly  at  it  as  he  sank  into 
a  chair,  but  Macneilhe  shook  his  head. 

"  Yes,  I  see  you  want  to  be  Mrs.  Murdoch's  patient, 
but  those  'congealed  beds,'  as  I  always  call  them,  are  not 
well-suited  to  a  fever." 

"  And  when  did  ye  come  hame,  sir,"  inquired  the  land- 
lady, returning  with  the  tea  tray;  "  and  hoo  are  ye  likin' 
your  braw  new  hoose?" 

"I  came  Jiome  at  the  end  of  last  week,"  he  replied; 
"  and  as  for  the  house  it's  to  my  mother's  liking  and 
that's  all  I  care  for.  We  hear  the  trains  a  trifle  too 
plainly  for  my  taste,  but  she  likes  that,  says,  you  know, 
that  they  are  a  sort  of  link  with  me  when  I'm  away." 

"  Ah,  but  Mrs.  Macneillie  she's  main  prood  o'  her 
beautiful  rooms,  but  I'm  thinkin'  it's  mair  because  it's 
her  son  that's  made  them  a'  for  her.  She  was  in  Kilraa- 
hog  last  month  settlin'  the  account  for  the  milk,  and  she 
said  to  me  that  if  a'  mithers  were  blessed  with  such  a  son 
as  hers  there'd  be  a  hantle  less  sorrow  in  the  warld. 
Those  were  her  verra  words,  sir." 

Macneillie  laughed.  "  My  mother  was  always  preju- 
diced in  my  favour,"  he  said.  "  It's  the  one  subject  you 
can't  trust  her  upon." 

The  good  woman  bustled  off  to  make  the  tea,  and  the 
actor  turned  again  to  Ralph. 

"My  mother  is  the  best  nurse  in  the  world:  she  will 
soon  have  you  well  again." 

"  Why  not  let  me  stay  here?  "  said  Ralph.  "  It  would 
give  you  less  trouble.  I  shall  only  spoil  your  holiday, 
and  perhaps  bring  the  infection  into  your  house." 

"  Oh,  we  have  most  of  us  been  down  with  this  plague 
already,"  said  Macneillie,  cheerfully.  "  I  know  you  covet 
that  antique  bed,  but  we  must  have  you  in  a  more  airy 


WAYFARING  MEN  163 

room  than  this.  Perhaps  it  will  make  you  hesitate  less 
if  I  tell  you  in  strict  contidence  that  the  new  house  would 
never  have  been  built  at  all  if  it  had  not  been  for  you." 
Then,  seeing  the  bewilderment  of  his  companion's  ex- 
pression, "  I'll  tell  you  just  how  it  was  some  day,  it's 
too  long  a  story  now,  for  I  hear  the  tea-things  coming." 

Ealph,  utterly  at  a  loss  to  see  how  Macneillie  could 
be  under  any  sort  of  obligation  to  him,  was  obliged  to 
leave  the  riddle  unsolved  for  the  present.  The  tea  re- 
vived him,  and  when  the  coach  came  into  sight  he  almost 
thought  he  could  have  walked  that  last  mile.  A  dreamy 
sense  of  relief  began  to  steal  over  him  as  they  drove  on 
beside  the  river  between  the  wooded  hills  and  through 
the  pretty  environs  of  Callander,  until  at  last  they 
reached  the  main  street  itself,  and  turning  sharply  to  the 
left  began  to  climb  a  steep  road.  Here,  nestling  cosily 
under  Callander  crag,  with  fresh  green  woods  behind  it, 
stood  the  comfortable,  squarely  built  stone  house  that 
the  actor  had  planned  for  his  mother.  The  coach  paused 
at  the  iron  gate,  for  it  was  out  of  the  question  that  they 
should  drive  up  the  steep  approach  to  the  front  door; 
indeed,  it  was  not  without  difficulty  that  Ealph  dragged 
himself  up  the  pebbly  incline;  he  was  panting  for  breath 
by  the  time  they  reached  the  house,  and  it  was  with 
some  anxiety  that  he  looked  up  at  the  white-capped  old 
lady  who  stood  to  greet  them  in  the  porch. 

"  Mother,"  said  Macneillie,  "  this  is  my  friend,  Mr. 
Denmead.  He  has  walked  all  the  way  from  Forres,  and 
is  quite  fagged  out."  The  keen,  shrewd  eyes  of  the 
Scotchwoman  had  perceived  from  a  distance  the  sorry 
plight  of  the  visitor,  and  she  looked  now  not  at  his  de- 
plorable boots  and  shabby  coat,  but  at  the  honest,  dark 
eyes  lifted  to  hers;  she  saw  directly  that  they  were  full  of 
dumb  suffering. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  any  friend  of  my  son's,"  she  said, 
and  there  was  something  curiously  comforting  in  the 


i64  WAYFARING   MEN 

homely  sound  of  the  Scottish  accent,  but  when  she  had 
shaken  hands  with  her  guest  an  almost  motherly  tender- 
ness stole  into  her  voice.  She  begged  him  to  come  in 
and  rest,  made  minute  inquiries  as  to  the  hour  when  the 
fever  attacked  him,  and  having  left  him  installed  on  a 
sofa  in  the  dining-room,  drew  her  son  into  the  hall. 
"  Hugh,"  she  said, ''  the  poor  laddie  is  very  ill.  I  will  go 
and  make  a  room  ready  for  him,  and  you  had  better  be 
fetching  the  doctor." 

"  I  will  by-and-bye,  but  first  let  us  get  him  settled. 
Put  him  into  my  room,  it's  the  most  airy.  I'll  tell  you 
who  he  is,  mother."  The  two  had  gone  upstairs  as  they 
were  speaking,  and  Macneillie  closed  the  door  of  his 
room  behind  them,  and  began  helping  in  a  deft,  sailor- 
like way  to  strip  the  sheets  off  his  bed.  "  He  is  the  boy 
I  told  you  about  years  ago,  who  saved  me  from  making 
an  end  of  myself  on  Christine's  wedding  day."  At  the 
name,  a  sort  of  shudder  of  distaste  passed  through  Mrs. 
Macneillie;  it  was  a  name  very  rarely  mentioned  by  either 
of  them,  and  the  mother  fondly  hoped  that  at  last  her 
son  had  banished  from  his  mind  all  memory  of  that  ro- 
mance of  his  youth.  But,  dearly  as  they  loved  each 
other,  there  was  a  good  deal  of  reserve  between  them,  and 
she  could  not  tell  how  it  was  with  him.  After  his  ab- 
sence in  America,  he  had  come  back  looking  much  older, 
but  apparently  in  good  health  and  spirits,  and  more  than 
ever  engrossed  by  his  work.  Little  as  she  liked  his  pro- 
fession, for  she  was  full  of  old-fashioned  prejudice  and 
clung  to  all  her  old  traditions,  she  nevertheless  often 
blessed  it  in  her  heart  for  she  saw  that  he  lived  for  it, 
and,  spite  of  herself,  could  not  help  taking  some  interest 
in  his  efforts  to  raise  the  drama,  to  give  only  such  plays 
as  were  worth  acting,  and  to  manage  his  company  in  the 
best  possible  way.  Still  it  was  undoubtedly  the  grief  of 
her  life  that  her  son  had  chosen  the  stage  instead  of  the 
ministry,  and  he  was  quite  aware  of  it,  and  was  obliged  to 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  165 

get  on  without  her  entire  sympathy.  She  was  unable  to 
see  that  he  was  really  doing  quite  as  good  work  as  any 
minister  in  the  land,  nor  did  she  understand  that  an  actor 
in  refusing  to  follow  his  clear  vocation,  would  be  as 
blameworthy  as  a  divine  who  put  his  hand  to  the  plough, 
and  then  looked  back.  She  did  not  speak  a  word  now 
until  they  had  the  clean  sheets  spread  and  all  things 
ready  for  the  invalid.  Then  she  drew  her  son's  face 
down  and  kissed  it. 

"  I  shall  love  to  wait  on  him,  Hugh,  now  that  you 
have  told  me  that." 

"  You'll  like  it  for  his  own  sake  too,"  said  Macneillie. 
"  It  takes  a  fellow  of  good  mettle  to  tramp  more  than  a 
hundred  miles  on  six-pennyworth  of  bread,  and  wear  the 
look  he  wore  when  I  found  him.  Oddly  enough,  too,  I 
learnt  something  about  him  from  Miss  Kay's  letter  on 
Saturday;  he  belonged  to  that  company  that  failed,  and 
she  told  me  that  she  much  feared  he  had  spent  almost  all 
the  money  he  had  left,  on  sending  back  to  London  a  for- 
lorn little  child-actress  who  had  been  deserted  by  the 
manager's  wife." 

"  A  child?  Poor  wee  thing!  There  are  many  perils 
and  dangers  in  your  profession,  Hugh,  you  can't  deny 
that." 

"  Yes  there  are,"  he  said,  "  but  I  am  not  sure  that  life 
in  society,  or  in  other  professions,  or  in  shops  and  fac- 
tories, isn't  even  more  risky.  As  for  this  little  Ivy  Grant, 
you  may  be  quite  happy  about  her;  he  had  the  good 
sense  to  send  her  to  trustworthy  friends." 

No  more  was  said,  for  it  was  time  to  fetch  the  invalid 
and  to  send  for  the  doctor.  But  later  on,  Mrs.  Macneillie 
opened  her  heart  to  her  son. 

"  It's  all  very  well,  Hugh,"  she  said,  "  to  think  that 
everything  is  made  right  by  the  little  girl  being  in  good 
hands  for  the  time;  but  you  mark  my  words,  it  will  be  the 
same  story  over  again  as  your  own.     This  poor  lad  will 


i66  WAYFARING  MEN 

be  shielding  and  helping  Ivy  Grant,  and  when  she  has 
other  admirers,  why  she'll  throw  him  off  like  an  old 
glove.     It  will  be  your  own  story  over  again,  Hugh." 

"  I  hope  not,"  said  Macneillie.  "  Let  us  believe  he 
would  have  done  as  much  for  any  distressed  damsel.  lie 
is  a  generous  fellow,  and  every  inch  a  gentleman;  why 
must  we  assume  that  he  has  fallen  in  love  with  the  las- 
sie?" 

"  Didn't  I  find  him  sobbing  his  heart  out  the  moment 
he  was  left  to  himself?  "  said  Mrs.  Macneillie. 

But  at  this  her  son  Avould  do  nothing  but  laugh.  "  My 
dear  mother,"  he  said,  "  That  is  just  the  sure  and  certain 
sign  that  he  has  the  influenza,  but  as  to  that  far  worse 
malady  no  sign  whatever." 


CHAPTER   XVII 

"  So,  from  the  pinched  soil  of  a  churlish  fate, 
True  hearts  compel  the  sap  of  sturdier  growth, 
And  between  earth  and  heaven  stand  simply  great, 
That  these  shall  seem  but  their  attendants  both." 

Lowell. 

Foe  some  days  Ralph  gave  his  new  friends  a  good  deal 
of  anxiety;  no  doubt  the  worry  and  the  underfeeding  of 
the  past  nine  months  had  told  upon  him,  and  culmina- 
ting in  this  week  of  hardship  and  exposure  had  left  him 
very  ill-fitted  to  resist  the  modern  plague  which  was 
scourging  the  country.  By  the  time  he  had  turned  the 
corner  and  was  able  to  spend  part  of  each  day  in  the  ad- 
joining room,  he  had  wound  himself  very  closely  about 
the  hearts  both  of  the  mother  and  the  son.  For  there 
was  something  in  his  blithe  cheerfulness  which  was  very 
winning  and  which  not  even  the  depression  that  always 
accompanies  influenza  could  affect  for  very  long,  any 
more  than  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish's  treatment  could 
really  embitter  his  nature,  though  it  occasionally  made 
him  speak  a  few  cynical  words. 

Macneillie  had  by  this  time  heard  the  story  of  his  life, 
and  had  set  his  mind  at  rest  by  offering  to  have  him  in 
his  company  at  the  beginning  of  August.  He  wrote, 
moreover,  to  a  friend  of  his,  the  manager  of  one  of  the 
Edinburgh  theatres,  and  tried  to  obtain  a  temporary  en- 
gagement for  him,  to  fill  up  the  summer  months.  To 
this  there  was  for  some  days  no  response,  and  Ralph,  who 

167 


i68  WAYFARING  MEN 

was  beginning  to  chafe  at  the  thought  of  his  penniless 
condition,  grew  depressed,  and  with  the  sensitiveness  of 
a  convalescent  feared  that  he  was  a  burden  to  his  kindly 
host.  Macneillie  was  quick  to  discern  what  was  passing 
in  his  mind. 

"  Pining  for  that  hospital  you  were  so  anxious  to  find 
at  Callander?  "  he  said  one  afternoon  when  he  had  found 
Ealph  unusually  depressed. 

The  invalid  smiled. 

"  Not  exactly.  But  I'm  wishing  I  needn't  spoil  your 
holiday." 

"  Have  you  forgotten  what  I  told  you  as  we  waited  for 
the  coach  that  day  at  Kilmahog?"  said  Macneillie, 
bracing  himself  up  as  though  for  some  effort.  "  This 
house  would  never  have  been  built  if  it  had  not  been  for 
you.  I  saw  you  hardly  took  in  what  I  was  saying,  but  it's 
as  true  as  that  you  and  I  sit  here  together  smoking.  I 
will  try  to  tell  you  the  whole  story." 

"  Years  ago,  when  I  was  a  young  fellow  playing  juve- 
nile lead  in  Castor's  travelling  company,  there  Joined  us  a 
little,  forlorn  girl  of  sixteen,  fresh  from  school,  and  ut- 
terly innocent.  She  was  very  unhappy,  and  I,  naturally 
enough,  fell  into  the  sort  of  position  that  you  fell  into 
with  Ivy  Grant.  She  badly  wanted  a  protector,  and  I 
did  what  I  could  for  her.  Well,  little  by  little,  this  sort 
of  friendship  drifted  into  love,  and  though  our  engage- 
ment was  not  made  public  and  was  never  recognised  by 
her  parents,  they  did  not  exactly  forbid  it  or  in  any  way 
hinder  our  intercourse,  being  shrewd  enough,  I  suppose, 
to  see  that  had  they  done  so,  their  daughter  would  only 
have  become  more  resolute  and  determined.  Things 
drifted  on  like  this  for  ten  years.  For  five  of  these  years 
we  were  acting  in  the  same  theatre  in  London,  and  I  was 
fairly  satisfied  to  wait,  and  never  once  doubted  her.  But 
there  came  a  time  when  she  felt  hampered  in  her  pro- 
fession for  want  of  money,  and  just  then  came  an  offer  of 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  169 

marriage  from  a  man  who,  though  old  enough  to  be  her 
father,  was  immensely  rich.  He  had  a  title  moreover, 
and  as  far  as  I  know,  he  was  not  a  bad  fellow — had  he  not 
been  of  decent  repute,  I  am  sure  she  would  not  have  mar- 
ried him.  Still  I  had  seen  enough  of  him  to  know  that 
they  had  not  a  taste  in  common,  and  the  misery  of  it  all 
unhinged  me.  She  was  to  be  married  at  the  close  of  the 
season,  and  every  night — twice  on  Saturdays — we  had  to 
act  together.  It  all  went  on  like  some  ghastly  dream  " — 
he  pushed  back  his  chair  and  began  to  pace  the  room  as 
though  the  recollection  were  intolerable.  "  The  play  was 
invariably  '  Hamlet;'  I  have  never  been  able  to  face  the 
thought  of  acting  the  part  again.  The  only  thing  that 
carried  me  through  was  a  sort  of  desperate  resolve  to  keep 
up  appearances  for  her  sake.  There  had  been,  naturally 
enough,  a  certain  amount  of  gossip  about  us,  but  few 
knew  that  we  had  been  actually  engaged,  and  in  the  very 
worst  of  the  time  there  was  a  sort  of  odd  sense  of  triumph, 
for  I  knew  that  I  was  acting  behind  the  scenes  with  a 
perfection  which  I  was  never  likely  to  touch  before  the 
curtain.  It  told  on  me,  though.  When  the  end  of  the 
season  came  I  had  been  for  eight  nights  without  sleep, 
and  after  saying  good-bye  to  her,  and  realising  that  there 
was  no  need  to  keep  up  any  longer,  all  power  of  rational 
thought  seemed  suddenly  to  go  from  me.  I  had  acted 
my  part  so  well  that  she  believed  that  I  had  become  re- 
conciled to  the  thought  of  her  marriage,  and  I  suppose 
she  thought  that  I  should  take  that  position  of  friend, 
which  she  wished  me  to  take.  At  any  rate  her  last  words 
were  a  request  that  I  would  be  present  at  the  little  coun- 
try church  where  the  wedding  was  to  take  place. 

"  I  left  it  uncertain  whether  I  would  go  or  not,  and 
went  home  debating  which  would  really  be  best  for  her, 
which  would  set  her  most  at  ease.  Could  I  for  the  time 
efface  m3'se]f  so  completely  as  to  play  the  part  of  an  old 
friend?     If  she  had  really  cared  for  the  man  she  was  to 


I70  WAYFARING  MEN 

marry,  that  would  have  been  possible;  I  could  have  re- 
joiced in  her  happiness.  But  this,  as  things  were,  I 
thought  out  of  the  question.  And  then  in  the  darkness 
of  the  night,  as  I  lay  wondering  stupidly  which  would  be 
the  best  for  her,  a  wild  notion  that  it  would  be  best  if  I 
were  dead  suddenly  took  possession  of  me.  I  was  too 
worn  out  to  think  anything  at  all  about  the  right  and 
wrong  of  the  matter;  it  was  just  an  overmastering  idea 
that  crowded  out  every  other  consideration.  I  even  for- 
got my  own  mother, — that  has  always  seemed  to  me  the 
most  incredible  part  of  the  whole  business.  When  morn- 
ing came,  I  made  my  preparations  and  walked  out,  with 
no  notion  at  all  as  to  place,  but  only  a  vague  wish  to  be 
away  from  bricks  and  mortar.  After  a  time  I  found  my- 
self in  Eichmond  Park,  and  was  making  for  a  quiet  glade 
I  knew  of,  when  there  came  a  sound  of  footsteps  hurry- 
ing after  me,  a  small  boy  was  speaking  to  me,  telhng  me 
I  had  saved  him  once,  and  begging  me  to  accept  a  silver 
knife.    Here  it  is  you  see — I  have  carried  it  ever  since." 

Ealph  in  amazement  looked  at  his  father's  old  fruit 
knife;  could  such  a  trifling  thing  have  played  so  great  a 
part  in  the  life  of  his  friend? 

"  I  only  parted  with  yours  the  other  day  at  Forres,"  he 
said,  "  when  everything  that  could  be  spared  had  to  go  to 
the  pawnbroker." 

"  Well,  I'm  glad  it  is  gone,"  said  Macneillie.  "  This 
is  the  only  souvenir  needed.  I  have  had  presentations 
both  before  that  time  and  since,  but  never  one  that 
touched  me  as  yours  did.  Your  emphatic  assurance  that 
fruit-knives  were  of  no  use  to  you,  since  you  always  ate 
peel  and  all,  tickled  my  fancy  and  made  me  smile;  that 
was  the  first  step  back  to  life.  And  then  your  boyish 
praise  was  so  real  that  it  pleased  me,  and  your  hero- 
worshipping  face  haunted  me.  It  reminded  me  that  I 
should  be  missed  at  any  rate  by  some,  and  when  I  reached 
the'glade  I  was  glad  that  by  a  sudden  impulse  I  had  given 


IV AY  FARING  MEN  171 

you  my  knife  in  exchange.  Being  thus  disarmed  there 
was  nothing  to  do  but  to  lie  down  and  rest,  and  what  with 
the  heat  of  the  day  and  the  long  walk,  I  somehow  fell 
asleep  at  last.  When  I  woke  my  brain  was  perfectly  clear 
again,  but  there  was  this  little  embossed  knife  to  remind 
me  of  the  narrow  escape  I  had  had.  I  remember  that 
in  the  distance  the  deer  were  feeding  peacefully,  and 
within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  me  rabbits  were  scamper- 
ing to  and  fro.  A  great  longing  for  home  seized  me  as  I 
lay  there  watching  them,  the  sort  of  hunger  that  always 
comes  over  a  Scotsman  when  he  has  been  long  away  from 
the  mountains.  So  I  hurried  back  to  town,  packed  my 
portmanteau,  and  took  the  night  train  to  the  north. 
There!  that  is  all  I  have  to  tell  you;  and  perhaps  now 
you'll  understand  that  you  are  no  ordinary  stranger  to 
me  and  to  my  mother,  but  that  you  belong  to  us." 

"  It  is  good  of  you  to  have  told  me,"  said  Ealph,  "  to 
have  trusted  me  with  so  much.  But  I,  too,  have  a  con- 
fession to  make.  That  day,  when  we  w^ere  in  St.  James' 
Park,  Evereld  and  I  knew  who  was  talking  with  you  as 
you  walked  up  and  down,  and  once  when  you  stopped 
close  to  the  water  we  could  not  help  hearing  what  you 
both  said.  I  think  it  was  partly  that  which  made  us 
look  on  3'ou  as  our  special  hero." 

Macneillie  paced  the  room  silently,  seeing  with  all  the 
vividness  of  a  powerful  imagination  that  scene  in  the  far 
past:  the  broad  sunny  path,  the  calm  expanse  of  water, 
with  its  little  wooded  island,  the  white  sails  of  the  toy 
boat,  the  two  children  watching  its  progress,  and  beyond 
the  trees  on  the  further  side  of  the  park  the  great  gloomy 
pile  of  Queen  Anne's  Mansions  looming  up  against  the 
sky.  Again  he  seemed  to  stand  in  his  misery  beside  the 
iron  railing  looking  down  into  a  face  which  was  delibe- 
rately hardening  itself  against  him,  yet  was  still  the  face 
that  haunted  his  dreams  with  its  strange  inexplicable 
fascination. 


172  WAYFARING  MEN 

Since  her  marriage  he  had  never  seen  Christine;  at  first 
he  had  purposely  avoided  her,  and  after  liis  return  from 
America  had  still  deemed  it  prudent  to  refuse  a  London 
engagement,  and  to  enter  on  that  career  as  manager  of  a 
travelling  company  which  had  now  for  some  years  ab- 
sorbed his  thoughts  and  his  energies.  He  wondered 
often  whether  their  paths  would  ever  again  cross,  and 
with  a  certain  sturdy  Scottish  resolution  lie  held  on  his 
way,  neither  seeking  nor  avoiding  a  meeting. 

He  was  still  talking  to  Kalph  on  this  summer  after- 
noon, when  his  mother  came  into  the  room  with  the  let- 
ters of  the  second  post. 

"  Ha,  here  is  one  from  Edinburgh! "  exclaimed  Mac- 
neillie.  "  Now  we  shall  hear  your  fate.  "Well,  it's  not 
much  of  an  offer  but  better  than  nothing.  Middle  of 
June  to  the  end  of  July,  that  will  fit  in  well  enough.  To 
be  walking  gentleman  after  the  parts  you  have  been 
playing  will  be  uninteresting,  but  you  will  at  any  rate  be 
secure  of  your  salary,  and  will  be  acting  with  better  peo- 
ple. Here  is  the  list  of  plays;  let  us  see  who  the  stars 
are." 

Glancing  down  the  paper  he  gave  a  perceptible  start. 

"  That's  an  odd  coincidence  after  what  we  were  just 
talking  about,"  he  said,  handing  the  list  to  his  com- 
panion; and  Ealph  saw  that  in  the  first  week  of  July, 
Christine  Greville  was  to  appear  as  EUeji  Douglas.  He 
hardly  knew  whether  he  were  glad  or  sorry.  Naturally 
his  affection  for  Macneillie  tended  to  make  him  a  some- 
what severe  judge  of  the  woman  who,  after  a  ten  years' 
betrothal,  had  forsaken  her  lover  and  married  for  money; 
but  nevertheless  he  wanted  to  meet  her,  and  Macneillie 
was  not  ill  pleased  at  the  chance  of  thus  learning  in- 
directly how  Christine  prospered  in  the  life  ?he  had 
chosen. 

Somehow  the  news  pecmed  to  cheer  them  both.  j\rac- 
neillie  stood  gaziug  out  of  the  window,  lost  in  thought. 


WAYFARING  MEN  173 

Tlie  rain  had  ceased,  and  though  the  sky  was  still  in  part 
overclouded  there  were  little  rifts  of  blue,  and  in  the 
west  a  bright  gleam  which  swept  across  the  hills  facing 
the  window  in  a  long  level  line  of  golden  brightness. 
Above,  were  the  dark  mountain  tops,  below,  in  deep 
shade,  the  woods;  and  the  points  of  the  iir  trees  stood  out 
sharply  defined  along  the  broad  intervening  strip  of  sun- 
lit grass.  He  could  not  have  explained  his  own  feelings, 
but  it  seemed  to  hira  that  some  unexpected  gleam  of 
brightness  had  come,  too,  into  his  overclouded  life. 

During  the  days  that  followed  something  of  the  old 
hero-worship  began  to  reassert  itself  in  Ealph's  heart  as 
he  learnt  to  understand  more  of  his  friend's  character. 
To  the  genius  and  fervour  and  romance  of  the  Kelt,  Mac- 
neillie  united  a  singularly  strong  and  virile  nature,  and 
although  he  had  shaken  off  some  of  the  trammels  of  the 
school  of  theology  to  which  his  mother  still  belonged,  he 
was  emphatically  one  whose  life  was  ruled  by  faith.  This 
was  indeed  generally  recognised,  although  he  was  not 
given  to  many  words;  but  the  world  agreed  in  describing 
him  by  that  unsatisfactory  phrase,  "  a  religious  man," 
and  many  in  the  profession  could  testify  that  his  religion 
was  of  that  pure  and  undefiled  kind  which  is  known  not 
so  much  by  words  or  outward  observances,  as  by  the  liv- 
ing of  a  good,  manly  life. 

There  was,  to  Ealph's  mind,  something  very  touching 
in  the  relations  between  the  actor  and  his  mother.  His 
care  in  avoiding  all  topics  that  could  pain  her,  his  solici- 
tude for  her  comfort,  and  the  pleasure  he  took  in  the  rest- 
ful home-life,  which  could  only  be  his  at  long  intervals, 
formed  but  one  side  of  the  picture.  There  was  the  in- 
effable pride  of  the  old  lady  in  her  only  son,  her  delight  in 
his  success  being  only  modified  by  the  unconquerable 
scruples  which  she  still  felt  as  to  the  stage,  scruples  which 
were,  however,  difficult  to  maintain  in  all  their  fulness 
when  she  was  every  day  confronted  by  so  admirable  a 
representative  of  the  actor's  profession. 


r74  WAYFARING   MEN 

As  soon  as  it  was  practicable,  Macneillie  made  the 
convalescent  spend  a  great  part  of  each  day  out  of  doors, 
at  lirst  in  the  garden  or  in  the  wood  at  the  back  of  the 
house,  and  later  on,  when  walking  became  possible,  on 
the  hill-side  near  the  wishing-well,  where  far  away  from 
houses  and  with  a  glorious  panorama  of  lake  and  moun- 
tain they  rested  for  hours  on  the  heather. 

It  was  at  these  times  that  Ealph  received  some  of  those 
lessons  in  his  art  which  were  later  on  of  the  greatest 
service  to  him. 

By  the  middle  of  June  he  had  shaken  off  the  last  effects 
of  the  influenza,  but  although  he  was  thankful  to  have 
seeured  an  engagement,  he  left  Callander  very  reluc- 
tantly, only  comforting  himself  with  the  reflection  that 
at  the  beginning  of  August  he  should  once  more  be  with 
Macneillie,  and  able  perhaps  to  do  a  little  in  return 
for  all  the  kindness  that  had  been  shown  to  him. 

His  Good  Samaritan  started  him  on  his  way  with 
sound  advice,  and  all  things  needful  for  a  fresh  begin- 
ning, and  the  weeks  in  Edinburgh  passed  pleasantly 
enough. 


CHAPTER    XVIII 

"  On  the  oppressor's  side  was  power; 
And  yet  I  knew  that  every  wrong", 
However  old,  however  strong. 
But  waited  God's  avenging  hour." 

Whittier. 

At  length  the  day  arrived  when  Christine  Greville  was 
to  appear.  A  rehearsal  had  been  called  for  eleven,  and 
it  so  happened  that  Ralph  reached  the  stage  door  just  as 
the  "  star  "  with  her  maid  in  attendance  drove  up.  He 
had  naturally  been  very  anxious  to  see  her,  and  was 
pleased  that  their  meeting  should  be  in  bright  sunlight, 
not  in  the  dreary  gloom  of  the  empty  theatre.  He 
caught  a  vision  of  fair  hair  beneath  a  broad  black  straw 
hat,  and  of  blush  roses  that  harmonised  well  with  the 
beautiful  but  rather  grave  face.  Then  it  chanced  that 
in  alighting,  Miss  Greville  dropped  her  parasol,  and 
Ralph  of  course  promptly  stooped  to  pick  it  up  for  her. 

"  Thank  you,"  she  said,  and  her  low  voice  thrilled  him. 
"  It  was  careless  of  me."  As  she  spoke  her  lips  smiled, 
but  he  thought  the  brown  eyes  that  for  a  moment  met 
his  fully  were  the  saddest  as  well  as  the  sweetest  he  had 
ever  seen. 

The  doorkeeper  having  now  perceived  her  hastened 
forward,  and  she  passed  into  the  building. 

It  was  with  some  surprise  that  in  glancing  round  she 
saw  that  Ralph  also  had  entered.     Something  in  his 

I7S 


176  WAYFARING   MEN 

manner  had  pleased  her,  and  she  presently  turned  to  the 
manager  with  a  question. 

"  Who  is  that  young  fellow  behind  us?  "  she  inquired, 
lowering  her  voice. 

"  He  is  a  pupil  of  Macneillie's,"  said  the  manager, 
"  and  at  present  is  only  '  walking  gentleman/  but  he 
has  the  makings  of  a  good  actor  in  him." 

"  Introduce  him  to  me,"  said  Miss  Greville. 

So  Ralph,  to  his  no  small  delight,  was  presented  to  the 
great  lady,  who  gave  him  a  cordial  hand-shake. 

"  They  tell  me  you  are  Hugh  Macneillie's  pupil,"  she 
said. 

Ralph  flushed  a  little. 

"  He  has  taught  me  more  than  any  one  else,"  he  re- 
plied, "  and  it  was  through  him  that  I  got  this  engage- 
ment.    In  August  I  am  to  join  his  company." 

"Ah! "  she  said,  and  Ralph  fancied  there  was  a  sort 
of  envy  in  her  tone.  "  You  are  very  fortunate  to  have 
such  a  chance.  He  is  one  of  a  thousand.  Where  did 
you  come  across  him?  " 

"  At  Callander,  soon  after  Whitsuntide.  He  has 
built  a  house  there  for  his  mother." 

"  She  is  still  living?  I  am  glad  of  that.  She  never 
liked  me,  having  a  rooted  aversion  to  the  stage  and  all 
connected  with  it,  still  she  was  kind  to  me  in  her  way, 
though  disapproving  all  the  time." 

"  She  still  disapproves  of  the  stage,"  said  Ralph.  "  But 
she  is  kindness  itself;  if  you  could  but  have  seen  the 
plight  I  was  in  when  Macneillie  found  me,  and  took  me 
home  with  hira! " 

At  that  moment  they  were  interrupted,  but  when  the 
rehearsal  was  over,  Miss  Greville  again  spoke  to  him. 

"  We  must  finish  our  talk,"  she  said.  "  I  like  to  hear 
all  about  my  old  friends.  To-morrow  I  am  driving  with 
my  little  invalid  nephew  to  Roslin — come  and  join  us, 
we  shall  have  plenty  of  room  for  you." 


WAYFARING  MEN  177 

Ralph  was  delighted  with  the  invitation;  it  was  quite 
impossible  to  remain  a  stern  judge  of  Miss  Greville  now 
that  he  had  seen  her  and  spoken  with  her.  He  had  won- 
dered how  it  could  be  that  Macneillie,  after  her  faithless- 
ness, still  for  her  sake  remained  single.  But  he  won- 
dered no  longer,  for  it  seemed  to  him,  that  quite  apart 
from  any  beauty  of  feature  or  form,  she  was  the  most  in- 
explicably fascinating  woman  he  had  ever  met.  Her 
every  movement  seemed  to  possess  a  subtle  charm;  there 
was  a  refinement  and  delicacy  about  her  manner,  a  deli- 
cious originality  about  her  way  of  talking,  that  made  all 
others  in  comparison  with  her  seem  tame  and  common- 
place. There  was,  moreover,  something  that  specially 
appealed  to  Ralph,  in  the  sadness  of  her  face  v/hen  in  re 
pose,  and  its  brilliant  beauty  when  animated. 

There  was  no  rehearsal  the  next  day,  and  Ralph,  punc- 
tual to  the  minute,  presented  himself  at  the  Windsor 
Hotel,  at  the  time  appointed  for  the  drive.  He  was 
shown  into  a  private  sitting-room  where  a  little  lame 
boy  of  about  nine  years  old  sat  by  the  open  window. 

"  Aunt  Christine  will  be  here  directly,"  he  said,  greet- 
ing the  visitor  with  great  friendliness.  "  She  was  read- 
ing to  me  and  forgot  the  time.  Did  vou  ever  hear  her 
read?" 

"  No,"  said  Ralph,  "  what  book  was  it?  " 

"  Oh,  only  about  Roslin,  but  it  doesn't  matter  what 
she  reads,  she  makes  everything  beautiful — it's  the  way 
she  says  the  words.  ^Nfother  used  to  read  to  me  in  Cey- 
lon, but  I  never  cared  for  it — it  sounded  so  droney." 

"  Do  you  come  from  Ceylon?  " 

"  Yes,  I  came  last  year,"  said  the  small  invalid.  "  I 
live  now  with  Aunt  Christine,  she's  mother's  sister,  and  I 
like  her  next  best  to  mother  in  all  the  world.  But  Sir 
Roderick's  a  beast.  You  mustn't  say  I  said  so,  but  I  hate 
him  because  he  alwavs  says  horrid,  cutting  things  to 
Auntie.     He's  to  meet  us  here,  when  Auntie's  engage- 


178  WAYFARING  MEN 

ment  is  over,  and  we  are  to  go  to  the  Highlands  to  stay  at 
a  big  country  house  belonging  to  his  cousin." 

It  was  impossible  to  check  the  confidences  of  this 
small  child,  who,  with  his  light  brown  hair,  eager  blue 
eyes  and  sunburnt  face,  was  by  no  means  the  typical  in- 
valid of  romance,  but  just  a  restless,  high-spirited  boy, 
brimming  over  with  life  and  merriment.  Perhaps  it 
was  as  well  that  at  that  moment  his  aunt  came  into  the 
room. 

"  So  sorry  to  keep  you  waiting,  Mr.  Denmead,"  she 
said,  greeting  him  in  her  charming  way,  "  I  was  always 
a  sadly  unpunctual  mortal,  but  Charlie  has  no  doubt  been 
entertaining  you.  Is  the  carriage  at  the  door?  Then  we 
will  ring  for  one  of  the  waiters,  Charlie,  to  take  you 
down." 

"  lie  carries  so  badly,"  said  the  small  invalid,  queru- 
lously.    "  I  wish  Dugald  were  here." 

"  Well,  he  will  come  with  Sir  Roderick  on  Saturday," 
said  the  aunt.     "  What  does  the  waiter  do?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  but  he  hurts,"  said  Charlie,  wriggling 
in  his  big  chair. 

"  Will  you  let  me  carry  you?  "  said  Ralph. 

"  Yes,"  said  the  child,  with  the  air  of  a  monarch  be- 
stowing a  favour.  "  Your  hands  are  so  nice  and  long, 
not  podgy  little  things  like  tlie  waiter's." 

The  journey  to  the  Stanhope  having  been  safely  ac- 
complished, and  the  child  comfortably  installed  in  the 
back  seat,  Christine  gathered  up  the  reins,  and  with 
Ralph  in  the  front  seat  beside  her,  drove  off  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Roslin. 

"  There  is  nothing  I  enjoy  so  much  as  driving,"  she 
said.    "  It  is  the  one  real  pleasure  of  my  life." 

"  Greater  than  such  a  triumph  as  you  had  last  night," 
said  Ralph. 

She  glanced  at  him  with  a  sort  of  surprise. 

"Did  you  really  think  I  cared  for  that?"  she  said. 


WAYFARING  MEN  179 

"  How  young  you  are — how  worn  and  blasee  you  make 
me  feel.  I  cared  nothing  at  all  for  that  ovation — was 
thankful  when  the  din  ceased  and  1  could  go  home  and 
be  quiet.  When  one  is  miserable,  there  is  at  any  rate 
some  comfort  in  being  miserable  alone — you  can  throw 
aside  your  smiling  mask,  and  so  get  something  approach- 
ing to  ease.  It  is  off  now,  you  see,  and  I  am  treating 
you  as  if  you  were  a  trustworthy,  old  friend,  but  then  you 
are  trustworthy,  I  could  tell  that  the  moment  I  saw  you. 
Now  tell  me  candidly,  did  not  Mrs.  Macneillie  tell  you 
she  detested  me?  " 

"  No,  but  I  heard  something  of  your  first  acquaintance 
with  them  long  ago,"  said  Ealph;  and  then  he  coloured 
and  hesitated,  feeling  that  he  had  perhaps  said  too  much. 

And  oddly  enough  Christine  felt  that  he  understood 
all,  and  knew  that  he  would  soon  find  out  how,  having 
sacrificed  everything  to  ambition,  it  now  profited  her 
nothing. 

"  Auntie,"  cried  a  small  voice  from  the  back  seat. 

She  glanced  round  with  love  and  tenderness  in  the 
face  that  a  moment  before  had  been  so  sad. 

"What  is  it,  darling?" 

"  Why  those  two  girls  were  so  awfully  delighted  to  see 
you.  I  saw  one  catch  hold  of  the  other's  arm  and  say, 
'  There  she  is! '  just  as  if  you'd  been  the  Queen  herself." 

She  laughed,  but  the  child's  pride  in  her,  and  perhaps 
the  remembrance  that  the  public  really  loved  her, 
touched  her  heart  for  a  moment,  and  brought  back  a 
look  of  youth  and  gladness  to  her  wistful  eyes.  She 
turned  again  to  Ealph. 

"  Now  take  up  our  talk  where  it  was  interrupted  yes- 
terday. You  were  telling  me  what  a  plight  you  were  in 
when  Hugh  ^lacneillie  found  you.  How  had  you  got 
into  such  difficulties?  Couldn't  you  get  an  engage- 
ment?    Tell  me  your  story,  for  we  two  must  be  friends." 

She  was  so  simpatica  that  it  was  impossible  to  resist 


i8o  WAYFARING  MEN 

her,  and  Ealpli  told  her  his  story;  all  about  the  old  days 
at  Whinhaven,  and  his  father's  death;  all  about  his  adop- 
tion by  Sir  j\latthe\v  Mactavish  and  his  final  dismissal; 
all  about  his  search  for  work,  his  first  engagement,  and 
his  experiences  at  Washington's  Theatre.  Christine 
would  have  blamed  him  more  for  his  folly  in  relinquish- 
ing his  position  there  had  she  not,  with  her  womanly  in- 
sight, guessed  all  that  he  left  untold  of  his  feeling  for 
Everold,  and  understood  why  Just  at  Christmas  time  he 
was  in  such  desperate  haste  to  get  on  in  his  profession. 

With  the  keen  interest  of  one  who  had  lived  the  same 
wandering  life,  she  heard  of  the  adventures  of  Skoots' 
Company,  and  listened  pityingly  to  the  account  of  what 
Ralph  called  his  "  sixpenny  tramp  "  through  the  High- 
lands. But  when  he  told  of  the  friendly  shepherd  who 
had  met  him  in  the  wilds  of  Gaick,  she  made  a  sudden 
exclamation. 

"  Did  you  say  the  name  was  Linklater?  Why  then  I 
think  I  can  help  you  to  find  the  lost  son — my  husband's 
man  is  named  Dugald  Linklater.  He  has  been  with  us 
for  a  year,  and  would  scarcely  have  endured  it  so  long,  I 
think,  had  he  not  been  very  fond  of  Charlie,  and  anxious 
too  to  get  a  good  character.  He  had  been  valet  to  Lord 
Ederline,  but  had  left  him  under  a  cloud,  and  had  been 
out  of  a  situation  for  a  long  while.  My  husband  had 
had  a  succession  of  men,  and  really  took  this  one  in  de- 
spair." 

"  Then  there  can  be  no  doubt  about  it,"  said  Ralph, 
his  face  lighting  up.  "  For  I  know  the  son  was  Lord 
Ederline's  servant.  This  will  be  good  news  for  t>lie 
shepherd  and  his  wife.  How  odd  that  one  should  come 
across  him  in  this  way.  The  world  is  but  a  small  place 
after  all.     What  is  he  like?  " 

"  A  dark-haired  Kelt,  very  well-mannered,  and  a  de- 
cidedly clever  fellow.  I  know  something  of  his  past  life, 
for  he  is  going  to  marry  my  maid  as  soon  as  they  have 


WAYFARING  MEN  i8i 

each  of  tliera  saved  a  little  money.  Dugald  is  steady 
enough  now,  but  he  was  nearly  ruined  by  betting.  We 
have  very  little  notion,  1  fancy,  of  the  sort  of  temptation 
our  servants  are  often  exposed  to." 

"  Will  he  be  coming  to  Edinburgh?     Can  I  see  him?  " 

"  Certainly.  I  expect  my  husband  on  Saturday  eve- 
ning. Come  and  call  on  Sunday  afternoon,  and  I  will 
make  some  excuse  to  send  Dugald  round  to  your  rooms 
afterwards.  Then  you  can  tell  him  all  about  his  homo 
people.  But  now  tell  me  about  the  rest  of  your  jour- 
ney." 

Kalph  told  the  whole  tale,  and  there  were  tears  in  his 
companion's  eyes  as  he  described  the  dire  struggle  of  the 
last  day  of  his  wanderings,  and  his  final  collapse  in  the 
Pass  of  Leny. 

"  And  it  was  there  Hugh  Macneillie  found  you?  "  she 
said  tremulously. 

"  Yes,  he  is  fond  of  going  up  and  down  that  path  by 
the  river,  he  says  it  is  good  practice  to  rehearse  a  part  in 
that  roar  of  many  waters.  I  dreamt  I  was  back  again  in 
the  theatre  with  Evereld,  then  I  heard  footsteps,  and 
looked  up  to  see  his  face.  You  can't  think  what  a  con- 
trast it  was  to  the  faces  I  had  seen  just  before  in  the  road, 
with  their  cruel  contemptuous  stare;  it  was  like  looking 
up  into  the  face  of  the  Christ." 

By  the  time  they  had  returned  from  Roslin,  Chris- 
tine had  heard  all  that  there  was  to  be  heard,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  course  of  the  Eichmond  Park  incident,  and  she 
was  able  fully  to  realise  the  sort  of  life  which  her  old 
lover  was  living.  She  did  not  presume  to  pity  Hugh 
Macneillie.  She  knew  indeed  that,  compared  with  her 
lot,  his  was  one  to  be  envied;  but  she  felt  intuitively  that 
he  would  never  recover  from  the  wound  she  had  dealt 
him,  and  knew  that  she  had  deliberately  robbed  him  of  all 
that  a  man  most  values.  Her  heart  was  very  sore  that 
night,  and  Ralph,  now  that  he  knew  more  of  her,  under- 


i82  WAYFARING  MEN 

stood  with  how  weary  an  effort  she  laughed  and  talked  in 
the  green  room.  He  longed  to  be  able  to  serve  her,  but 
there  was  of  course  little  he  could  do,  beyond  showing 
Charlie  the  sort  of  kindness  which  a  small  boy  best  ap- 
preciates. 

It  was  \vith  some  trepidation  that,  on  the  Sunday  after* 
noon  at  the  close  of  her  engagement,  he  called  to  take 
leave  of  her.  Other  visitors  were  in  the  room.  She  just 
introduced  him  to  Sir  Roderick — a  tall,  grey-haired,  and 
decidedly  good-looking  man,  and  then  left  him  to  make 
his  way  as  usual  to  Charlie's  couch. 

The  child  greeted  him  with  delight  and  eagerly  showed 
him  a  Kodak  which  Christine  had  just  given  him,  and 
with  which  he  was  longing  to  take  snap-shots  at  the  peo- 
ple in  Prince's  Street.  "  But  I  mustn't  do  it.  Sir  Eode- 
rick  says,  because  of  the  fourth  commandment  and  the 
Scotch  being  so  particular.  Now  do  you  really  think 
that  the  fourth  commandment  was  meant  to  forbid  Ko- 
daks on  Sunday?  " 

"Well  no,"  said  Ealph  smiling.  "I  don't  think  it 
has  much  to  do  with  photography  or  with  our  Sunday." 

"  And  you  see,"  continued  the  child  eagerly,  "  even  if 
we  are  not  to  do  any  manner  of  work — and  of  course, 
every  one  really  does  a  good  deal — you  can't  possibly  call 
it  work  to  take  a  snap-shot.  Why  it  says,  you  know,  in 
the  advertisement,  that  it's  no  labour  at  all.  '  Yon  press 
the  button,  we  do  all  the  rest,'  and  one  wouldn't  ask 
them  to  do  the  developing  to-day.  It's  really  not  so  bad 
as  Sir  Roderick's  ringing  the  bell  as  he's  doing  now,  for 
when  he  rings  twice  like  that,  Dugald  has  to  come  hur- 
rying upstairs  like  lightning,  and  I  know  he  has  had 
hardly  any  time  for  his  dinner." 

At  that  moment  the  servant  entered  in  response  to  his 
master's  peremptory  summons.  Ralph  watched  him 
keenly,  and  had  no  manner  of  doubt  that  this  man  was 
the  shepherd's  son,  for  the  likeness  to  Angus  Linklater 


WAYFARING   MEN  1S3 

was  marked.  An  expressive  little  bit  of  pantomime  fol- 
lowed; he  could  not  hear  the  actual  words  spoken  by  Sir 
Eoderick,  but  the  insufferable  tone  and  manner  of  the 
master  and  the  expression  of  long-enduring  but  sorely 
tried  patience  on  the  face  of  the  man,  were  quite  suffi- 
cient to  reveal  much  of  their  characters.  Soon  after  this 
the  visitors  rose  to  go,  and  Sir  Eoderick  having  taken 
leave  of  them  in  a  pleasant  and  courteous  fashion,  turned 
round  on  his  wife  the  moment  the  door  was  closed,  and 
apparently  forgetting  that  they  were  not  alone,  hurled  at 
her  a  torrent  of  abuse  and  scathing  sarcasm,  which  made 
Ealph  long  to  kick  him  down-stairs.  It  seemed  to  be 
about  some  salmon  flies  which  had  been  left  behind  in 
London,  Dugald  having  failed  to  find  them  in  their  right 
place,  and  imagining  that  they  had  been  sent  by  his  mas- 
ter with  the  first  instalment  of  luggage  brought  to  Edin- 
burgh by  the  rest  of  the  family  some  weeks  ago. 

In  Lady  Fenchurch's  manner  of  receiving  her  hus- 
band's anger  there  was  the  calmness  of  long  use,  but  her 
colour  rose  a  little  because  of  the  injustice  of  the  attack, 
and  from  a  sort  of  shame  that  Ealph  Denmead  should 
witness  the  scene. 

"  I  am  sorry  the  mistake  was  made,  but  you  forget  we 
are  not  alone,"  she  said,  seizing  on  a  moment  when  for 
want  of  breath  he  ceased  to  swear. 

He  glanced  towards  the  window  with  annoyance,  and 
with  a  malice  which  his  hearers  perfectly  understood, 
suddenly  changed  his  line. 

"  Well,  if  it  is  not  your  fault  then  it  must  be  Dugald's 

fault.     The  d d  scoundrel  shall  leave  the  very  day 

I  can  get  another  man.  I'm  sick  of  the  sight  of  him. 
Pie  shall  see  that  I'm  not  to  be  imposed  upon  by  an  idle 
fellow  who  doesn't  know  his  duties.  He  shall  go,  and 
with  the  worst  character  I  ever  gave  to  a  servant.  He 
came  to  me  with  a  bad  one, and  I'll  add  a  telling  bit  to  it." 

"  I  only  wonder  he  has  endured  the  situation  so  long," 


iS4  WAYFARING  MEN 

said  Christine,  stimg  by  the  unfairness  of  this  retaliation. 
"But  you  punish  yourself  more  than  you  punish  him; 
think  what  trouble  you  had  before  he  came.  The  best 
servants  must  now  and  then  make  mistakes." 

"  The  best  mistresses  are  supposed  to  look  to  the  ways 
of  their  household,"  he  said  maliciously,  "  and  to  have 

some  regard  for  their  husbands'  comfort.     D you, 

say  no  more.  I  tell  you  the  man  shall  go,  and  if  he 
chooses  to  bring  an  action  against  me  for  giving  him  a 
worse  character  than  he  brought  with  him,  I'll  show  up 
his  whole  past  life." 

With  that  he  sauntered  out  of  the  room  and  Ralph, 
with  some  presence  of  mind,  picked  up  the  Kodak  and 
began  to  talk  to  Charlie  about  the  best  position  for  tak- 
ing a  photograph  of  the  Scott  memorial  just  opposite. 
In  a  few  minutes  Christine  slowly  crossed  the  room  and 
sat  down  in  a  low  chair  beside  Charlie's  couch.  Her 
white  taper  fingers  played  with  the  child's  light  hair,  but 
she  was  quite  silent,  sitting  there  listlessly,  w^ith  the  ex- 
hausted look  which  people  wear  when  they  have  been 
battling  with  a  strong  wind. 

"And  she  might  have  been  Macneillie's  wife!" 
thought  Ralph.  "  How  can  she  endure  this  wretched 
existence! " 

He  was  made  so  miserable  by  the  sight  of  that  worst 
tragedy  of  life — a  mistaken  marriage — and  by  the 
thought  of  the  grievous  pain  and  sorrow  it  had  entailed, 
that  he  was  quite  unable  to  perceive  how  immensely  both 
Christine  and  Macneillie  had  been  developed  by  the  con- 
sequences of  that  very  mistake. 

The  woman  who  at  seven-and-twenty  had  sacrificed 
the  entire  happiness  of  another  to  her  own  ambition  and 
the  worldly  arguments  of  her  parents,  who  had  allowed 
the  love  in  her  heart  to  grow  weak  for  lack  of  nourish- 
ment, who  had  been  capable  of  utterly  deceiving  herself 
and  stifling  her  conscience,  had  at  four-and-thirty  grown 


WAYFARING  MEN  185 

clear-e3'ed  and  humble  througli  much  sorrow.  And  as 
for  Macneillie,  liis  years  liad  been  spent  to  sucli  good  pur- 
pose that  no  one  with  deep  insight  could  have  wished 
that  he  had  married  Christine  Greville  as  she  had  been 
seven  years  ago.  There  had,  perhaps,  been  truth  in  her 
assertion  in  St.  James's  Park — she  might  have  dragged 
him  down  to  a  lower  level.  Undoubtedly,  apart,  they 
liad  each  of  them  climbed  a  step  higher,  and  she  was  more 
worthy  of  him  now  than  in  the  old  days. 

"  Auntie,"  said  the  child,  breaking  the  silence  at  last, 
"  you  won't  really  let  Dugald  go,  will  you  ?  " 

She  sighed. 

"  Not  if  I  can  help  it,  dear,  but  of  course  he  is  Sir  Eode- 
rick's  servant.  Say  no  more  about  it,  though.  I  know 
you  are  fond  of  him  and  would  be  sorry  to  lose  him,  but 
we  can't  always  have  what  we  like." 

"  I  should  have  thought  you  might,"  said  the  child. 
"  You  who  earn  such  lots  of  money.  Can't  you  have  all 
you  like?" 

She  laughed,  but  there  were  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"  I  can  have  you,  dear,  and  you  are  my  chief  pleasure 
now,"  she  said  caressingly.  Then,  shaking  ofl  her  cares 
for  awhile,  she  began  to  talk  to  Ralph,  who  at  the  end  of 
the  call  felt  more  ready  than  ever  to  be  her  devoted  ser- 
vant for  the  rest  of  his  life. 

"  How  Evereld  will  like  to  hear  all  about  her,"  he  re- 
flected as  he  went  down  the  stairs,  "  there  will  be  no  end 
to  tell  her  next  time  we  meet." 

He  was  unpleasantly  roused  from  these  reflections  by 
encountering  on  the  staircase  Sir  Roderick  Fenchurch, 
who  paused  to  shake  hands  with  him  in  the  most  cour- 
teous and  pleasant  way  imaginable,  as  though  he  had  ut- 
terly forgotten  that  Ralph  had  been  a  witness  of  the 
stormy  scene  in  the  private  sitting-room.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  it  was  so  entirely  his  custom  to  abuse  and  swear  at 
his  w'de  before  the  child,  before  the  servants,  and  before 


i86  WAYFARING  MEN 

any  one  staying  in  the  honse,  that  he  never  for  a  mo- 
ment imagined  that  this  young  actor  would  have  liked  to 
horse-whip  him  for  daring  so  to  treat  a  woman. 

All  the  world  seemed  out  of  joint  to  Ralph  as  he 
walked  away  from  the  hotel  through  the  beautiful  city 
whose  noble  buildings  and  grand  situation  made  such  an 
incongruously  fair  setting  to  the  sad  picture  he  had  just 
looked  on.  He  chafed  bitterly  against  the  thought  of 
such  a  man  as  Sir  Roderick  ruining  the  happiness  of  his 
hero  Macneillie,  and  went  back  to  his  rooms  with  a  heart 
full  of  indignation  to  write  the  letter  he  felt  bound  to 
send  to  Callander  after  meeting  Christine  Greville.  Ha- 
ving written  sundry  details  as  to  the  play  they  had  been 
giving  during  the  week,  he  turned  to  the  subject  which 
he  knew  would  interest  Macneillie. 

"  Miss  Greville  has  been  staying  at  the  Windsor  Hotel 
with  her  small  nephew,  a  boy  of  nine,  to  whom  she  is 
devoted.  I  have  been  there  several  times,  as  the  child 
took  a  fancy  to  me.  He  is  lame,  but  likely  they  say  to  re- 
cover, and  it  is  wonderful  to  see  her  care  of  him.  Two  or 
three  times  we  went  out  driving  together.  She  spoke 
much  of  you  and  of  the  old  days.  She  looks  as  young 
as  ever  on  the  stage,  but  off  it  her  face  is  careworn 
and  awfully  sad.  To-day,  when  I  went  to  take  leave  of 
her,  Sir  Roderick  Fenchurch  was  there.  He  was  decent 
enough  till  the  other  visitors  were  gone,  but  then  fell  into 
a  rage  with  her  about  some  salmon  flies  that  had  been  for- 
gotten; he  has  a  tongue  that  cuts  like  a  sharp  razor; 
there's  not  a  pin  to  choose  between  him  and  the  ordinary, 
wife-beating  '  pleb,' — in  fact,  I  prefer  the  latter,  for  at 
any  rate  he  can  be  properly  punished,  while  this  polished 
scoundrel  with  his  sarcasms  and  his  cruelties  of  the 
tongue  can't  be  touched.  She  was  very  quiet  and  digni- 
fied all  through  this  scene,  but  when  at  last  he  went  out 
she  looked  dead  tired;  this  sort  of  thing  at  home,  and  the 
hard  work  of  professional  life,  must  be  more  than  any 


WAYFARING  MEN  187 

one  could  stand  for  long,  I  should  think.  An  odd  thing 
has  happened.  I  have  found  the  son  of  Linklatcr,  the 
shepherd  who  housed  me  so  kindly  in  the  Gaiek  Forest. 
He  is  now  Sir  Roderick  Fenchurch's  man,  but  will  not  be 
with  him  much  longer  as  the  brute  has  given  him  warn- 
ing— chiefly  to  annoy  his  wife  I  believe.  Dugald  Link- 
later  has  just  been  in  to  see  me,  and  I  told  him  I  had  been 
to  his  home,  and  that  they  were  always  looking  for  him 
to  come  back.  He  promises  to  write  to  his  father  at 
once.  So  there  is  one  pleasant  thing  in  this  day,  which 
Sir  Roderick  Fenchurch  has  overclouded.  What  can 
be  the  purpose  in  creation  of  such  brutes?  They  are 
enough  to  have  staggered  even  your  prophet  Erskine  of 
Linlathen." 


CHAPTER    XIX 

"  Nothing  mars  or  misleads  the  influence  that  issues 
from  a  pure  and  humble  and  unselfish  character.  A  man's 
gifts  may  lack  opportunity,  his  efforts  may  be  misunder- 
stood and  resisted ;  but  the  spiritual  power  of  a  consecrated 
will  needs  no  opportunity  and  can  enter  where  the  doors 
are  shut." — Dean  Paget. 

Macneillie  read  and  re-read  this  letter  with  the  awful 
craving  of  a  man  whose  love  has  for  years  been  starved  of 
all  knowledge  of  the  beloved,  except  the  mere  knowledge 
that  she  was  still  in  the  world.  He  had,  of  course,  seen 
her  name  daily  in  the  papers,  and  had  known  what  plays 
she  was  acting  in,  but  of  her  real  life  he  had  known  noth- 
ing. He  had  tried  to  think  that  her  marriage  though 
necessarily  falling  below  his  ideal  of  married  life  might 
at  any  rate  be  as  happy  as  the  average,  might  at  least  be 
tranquil  and  not  without  a  certain  comfortable  respect- 
ability. But  the  brief  account  given  in  Ralph's  letter, 
and  the  many  details  which  he  could  so  easily  read  be- 
tween the  lines — filled  him  with  misery.  The  post  had 
brought  him  as  usual  a  mass  of  correspondence;  with  a 
sigh  of  impatience  he  ran  through  it,  then  pushing  it 
aside  caught  up  his  hat  and  hurriedly  left  the  house.  He 
was  in  no  humour  to  climb  the  hill-side  to  the  wishing- 
well;  instead,  he  passed  through  the  village,  over  Callan- 
der Bridge,  and  talcing  a  little  footpath  across  the  mea- 
dows, sought  out  a  favourite  nook  of  his  beside  the  river 
Teith,  which  wound  its  peaceful  course  through  the  hay- 

i83 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  189 

fields.  A  tiny  wood  had  sprung  up  near  this  walk  at  one 
part,  and  Maeneillie  had  a  special  affection  for  a  certain 
beech-tree  which  stood  just  at  a  bend  in  the  river,  and 
under  its  shade  many  of  his  pleasantest  holiday  hours 
were  spent.  He  threw  himself  down  now  on  the  sloping 
bank  beneath  it.  Everything  was  curiously  still  and 
peaceful;  Ben  Ledi  rose  majestically  in  the  distance, 
framed  by  soft  foliage  in  the  foreground,  and  the  river 
was  emphatically  one  of  those  which  "  glideth  at  his  own 
sweet  will,"  a  great  contrast  to  the  Leny,  which  dashed 
and  foamed  through  its  rocky  pass.  It  was  just  this  calm 
peacefulness  he  longed  for  in  his  inward  struggle.  With 
all  the  vividness  of  one  blessed  or  cursed  with  a  powerful 
imagination,  he  realised  Christine  as  she  now  was.  He 
knew  instinctively  that  her  heart  had  awakened  from  its 
sleep,  that,  with  the  dead  failure  of  the  tnariage  de  con- 
venance,  her  love  which  had  only  lain  dormant  had  re- 
turned— but  had  returned  of  course  to  torture  her.  Hith- 
erto he  had  been  able  to  think  of  Sir  Roderick  Fenchurch 
with  a  sort  of  impartiality.  He  knew  so  very  little  about 
him;  and  it  was  Macneillie's  nature  to  think  well  of  peo- 
ple until  they  disillusioned  him;  he  had  even  felt  a  sort 
of  compassion  for  the  man,  because  he  knew  that  he  could 
never  really  possess  Christine's  heart  as  he,  for  a  time  at 
any  rate,  had  possessed  it.  But  Ealph's  picture  of  what 
the  husband  really  was  behind  his  society  mask  had 
driven  out  all  gentler  thoughts,  had  filled  the  Scotsman's 
heart  with  loathing,  had  over-clouded  his  whole  world. 

Maeneillie  was,  however,  before  all  things,  an  honest 
man.  He  had  not  accepted  conventionally  the  first  re- 
ligious truths  put  before  him,  he  had  thought  much,  he 
had  waited  patiently,  had  learnt  by  degrees,  and  the 
hard  training  of  his  life  had  borne  its  fruit — it  was  im- 
possible now,  that  he  should  remain  for  long  in  darkness. 
It  flashed  upon  him  that  his  trouble  came  from  having 
stepped  out  of  the  right  order;  for  a  time  he  had  lost  that 


igo  PV  AY  FARING  MEN 

absolute  trust  in  God's  education  of  every  human  being, 
which  liad  for  many  years  been  his  stronghold.  The 
words  of  Ralph's  letter  came  back  to  him — "  brutes  like 
Sir  Eoderick  are  enough  to  have  staggered  even  your 
prophet  Erskine  of  Linlathen." 

The  name  of  Thomas  Erskine  in  itself  awakened  within 
him  a  whole  train  of  memories,  for  he  was  one  of  the 
many  thousands  who  have  been  rescued  by  the  writings 
of  that  barrister,  laird  and  saint  from  falling  a  prey  to 
the  spirit  of  unbelief  which  is  the  reaction  alike  from 
Calvinism  and  ceremonialism. 

Lying  under  the  shade  of  the  beech-tree,  the  fresh  air 
from  the  hills  playing  softly  about  his  uncovered  head, 
he  tried  to  picture  to  himself  what  Erskine  would  have 
thought  of  this  mistaken  marriage,  with  ifs  unhappy  re- 
sults, and  there  came  back  to  his  mind  a  passage  in  "  The 
Spiritual  Order,"  in  which  the  writer  spoke  of  the  strange 
difficulty  of  retaining  faith  in  God's  loving  purpose  when 
confronted  with  tbe  evils  of  the  lanes  and  closes  of  great 
towns  which  seem  to  be  mere  hot-beds  of  vice  and  profli- 
gacy. How  look  on  those  and  still  believe  that  educa- 
tion was  God's  whole  purpose  in  creation?  "It  would 
be  impossible,"  said  Erskine,  "  did  we  not  also  realise 
that  there  is  no  haste  ivith  God." 

Clearly  then  it  was  the  imperfection  of  his  own  nature, 
the  weakness — not  the  strength — of  his  love  for  Chris- 
tine, which  made  him  so  desperately  impatient  at  the 
thought  of  her  suffering;  for  her  sake  he  must  learn  to  be 
"  strong  and  patient,"  learn  to  love  with  a  diviner  love, 
to  wait  with  a  more  perfect  trust.  The  letter  had  come 
to  him  like  a  call  to  arms,  he  was  perfectly  conscious  that 
it  marked  a  fresh  turning-point  in  his  life;  he  had  learnt 
more  of  Christine  and  her  difficulties  than  he  had  known 
for  years,  and  the  only  way  in  which  he  could  interpret 
the  meaning  of  it  all  was  that  he  should  pray  for  her  in 
her  grievous  need  more  unceasingly  than  he  had  yet  done. 


WAYFARING  MEN  igi 

And  so  the  time  passed  by,  and  at  the  close  of  the  six 
weeks*  engagement  Ralph  returned  to  Callander  for  the 
few  days  that  remained  before  Macneillie's  company  was 
to  open  at  Southboume  with  "  The  Winter's  Tale." 

It  felt  more  like  a  home-coming  than  he  could  have 
imagined  possible.  His  friend  was  delighted  to  have 
him  back  again;  old  Mrs.  Macneillie  was  scarcely  less  so, 
and  the  servants  gave  him  a  cordial  welcome,  for  though 
his  illness  had  given  a  good  deal  of  trouble  in  the  house, 
he  had  the  gift  of  winning  hearts,  and  the  forlorn  plight 
in  which  he  had  first  arrived  had  awakened  all  the  best 
sympathies  of  the  hospitable  Scottish  household.  He 
fancied  that  Macneillie's  deep-set  grey  eyes  were  some- 
what graver  in  expression  than  before,  but  his  manner, 
with  its  touch  of  quaint,  dry  humour,  was  exactly  the 
same  as  usual,  and  it  was  not  until  the  Tuesday  morning 
when  they  set  off  early  to  walk  together  to  the  Trossachs, 
that  any  allusion  was  made  to  the  contents  of  the  letter. 
Then,  at  last,  as  they  walked  along  the  shores  of  Loch 
Vennachar,  Macneillie  put  a  direct  question  about 
Christine. 

"  I  am  glad  you  got  to  know  Lady  Fenchurch,"  he 
said.     "  Where  did  she  go  after  leaving  Edinburgh?  " 

"  She  went  up  to  the  Highlands  a  fortnight  ago  to  a 
place  called  Mearn  Castle,  which  belongs  to  a  Mrs.  Strath- 
avon-Haigh,  a  widowed  cousin  of  Sir  Eoderick's — a  very 
fast  widow,  if  what  I  heard  in  Edinburgh  is  true.  Lady 
Fenchurch  did  not  want  to  go  there,  but  said  her  hus- 
band particularly  wished  her  to  accept  the  invitation.  So 
she  had  given  up  her  original  plan  of  taking  Charlie  to 
the  sea,  and  hoped  the  Highland  air  would  do  him  as 
much  good." 

"  I  suppose  she  was  right  to  try  to  please  her  hus- 
band," said  Macneillie,  "  but  Mearn  Castle  is  one  of  the 
most  abominable  country  houses  going." 

"  She  seemed  to  know  verv  little  about  it,"  replied 


102  WAYFARING  MEN 

Kalphj  "  only  disliked  this  gay  widow,  and  wanted  to  go 
to  some  quiet  place  where  rest  would  have  been  more  pos- 
sible. But  she  evidently  tries  to  do  what  can  be  done  for 
her  brute  of  a  husband.  Oh!  if  you  could  have  seen  her 
patience,  her  dignity,  while  that  scoundrel  was  abusing 
her!     I  wish  I  could  horse-whip  him!  " 

"  No  need,"  said  ]\Iacneillie,  in  a  low  voice,  "  for  every 
brutal  word  he  will  one  day  have  to  give  account." 

Something  in  his  manner,  with  its  deep  conviction 
that  every  wrong  should  in  the  future  be  righteously 
avenged,  silenced  Ralph.  He  felt  ashamed  of  his  ve- 
hement impatience,  and  was  not  sorry  that,  as  they  ap- 
proached Loch  Achray,  ]\Iacncillie  led  away  from  the  sub- 
ject by  asking  after  the  shepherd's  son. 

They  had  passed  the  Hotel,  and  were  walking  through 
the  Trossachs,  when  they  overtook  a  gentleman's  servant 
laden  with  a  soda-water  syphon  and  a  great  basket  of 
fruit  which  he  was  evidently  carrying  down  to  Loch 
Katrine. 

Glancing  at  the  man,  Ralph  gave  an  exclamation  of 
astonishment. 

"Why,  Linklater!  is  it  you?  I  was  speaking  to  Mr. 
Macneillie  about  you  only  just  now." 

The  man's  face  lighted  up  as  he  returned  Ralph's  cor- 
dial greeting,  and  he  looked  searchingly  at  a\Iacneillie, 
having  very  often  heard  that  the  actor  was  one  of  Lady 
Fenchurch's  oldest  friends. 

"  I  little  thought  to  see  you  here,  sir,"  he  said,  turning 
to  Ralph.  "  We  came  this  morning  from  Stronach- 
lachar,  for  there  was  a  good  wind  for  sailing,  and  Master 
Charlie  was  wanting  to  set  foot  on  Ellen's  Isle.  He's 
there  now,  with  her  ladyship,  and  I  came  on  to  the  Hotel 
to  get  these  things  for  lunch." 

"  They  have  left  Mearn  Castle  then?"  said  Ralph  in 
surprise. 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  Linklater,  with  a  little  hesitation  in 


WAYFARING  MEN  193 

his  manner,  "  if  you've  not  already  heard,  maybe  I  had 
better  tell  you  the  whole  truth,  for  all  the  world  must 
know  it  as  soon  as  her  ladyship  sues  for  a  divorce." 

Macneillie  made  an  inarticulate  exclamation.  Like 
one  in  a  dream  he  listened  to  the  man's  brief  account.  It 
appeared  that  Sir  Koderick  had  seduced  the  young  wife  of 
one  of  the  game-keepers  on  the  Castle  estate — that  the 
enraged  husband  discovering  him  had  given  him  such  a 
castigation  that  it  had  been  impossible  to  hush  up  the 
affair,  and  that  Lady  Fenchurch,  on  learning  the  truth, 
had  left  Mearn  Castle. 

There  was  a  pause  when  the  man  had  ended.  Ealph 
waited  for  his  companion  to  ask  some  question,  to  make 
some  comment,  but  Macneillie  walked  on  in  absolute 
silence,  evidently  too  deeply  engrossed  in  his  own  reflec- 
tions to  be  even  conscious  that  he  was  not  alone. 

This,  then,  was  tlie  meaning  of  his  inward  perception 
of  Christine's  grievous  need!  In  this  fortnight,  during 
which  his  whole  soul  had  been  absorl:)ed  in  prayer  for  her, 
she  had  lived  through  the  most  awful  crisis  of  her  life, 
and  now  she  was  near  to  him  in  her  forlorn,  unprotected, 
worse  than  widowed  condition.  He  must  at  any  rate,  in- 
quire if  she  would  see  him,  ask  if  he  could  in  any  way  help 
her,  and  here  in  this  quiet  spot  there  was  fortunately  no 
danger  that  idle  talkers  would  comment  on  their  meet- 
ing. He  pencilled  a  few  words  in  German  on  one  of  his 
cards  and  turned  to  Linklater. 

"  Give  this  to  your  mistress,"  he  said,  the  title  some- 
how sticking  in  his  throat.  "  I  will  take  a  boat  and  row 
out  to  the  island  in  a  few  minutes,  and  you  can  bring  back 
the  answer." 

By  this  time  they  had  walked  through  the  glen  and 
had  reached  the  picturesque  landing-place.  Linklater 
hailed  the  Stronachlachar  boatman,  and  set  off  for  the 
island,  and  the  others  followed  more  leisurely,  Ealph  tak- 
ing both  oars  and  Macneillie  sitting  in  the  stern,  though 


194  WAYFARING  MEN 

the  far-nway  look  in  his  eyes  scarcely  qualified  him  for 
the  duties  of  steersman. 

The  story  which  Linklater  had  told  them  had  been  so 
entirely  unexpected,  and  was  in  itself  so  revolting,  that 
neither  of  them  felt  inclined  to  talk.  To  Macneillie, 
moreover,  it  was  as  though  he  had  suddenly  heard  of  the 
death  of  the  man  who  had  saddened  his  life;  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  he  considered  Sir  Roderick  as  dead  to  Chris- 
tine, for  he  came  of  a  race  which  for  more  than  three 
hundred  years  has  always  regarded  adultery  as  the  dis- 
solution of  a  marriage.  To  him  there  had  never  been  the 
least  question  as  to  the  distinct  teaching  of  Christ  on  this 
point,  he  believed  that  His  words  clearly  sanctioned  di- 
vorce for  infidelity  to  the  marriage  bond  and  gave  free- 
dom to  the  innocent  one.  No  man  could  rightly  put 
asunder  those  who  were  married;  sin  only  or  death  could 
part  them.  But  proved  infidelity  was  as  truly  the  di- 
vider as  love  was  the  bond  of  union;  the  legal  ceremonies, 
whether  of  marriage  or  of  divorce,  were  but  the  ap- 
pointed and  expedient  sj-mbols  of  spiritual  facts — the 
outward  signs  of  the  birth  and  death  of  married  life. 

The  seven  years  of  his  solitude  had  taught  ]\Iacneillie 
a  stem  self-control,  and  whatever  he  felt  as  they  rowed 
across  the  lake  was  not  allowed  to  appear  at  all  in  his  face. 
Ralph  glanced  at  him  from  time  to  time  and  marvelled, 
perhaps  only  now  realising  of  what  splendid  stuff  his  hero 
was  made,  and  how  nobly  he  held  in  check  that  difficult 
temperament  with  which  actors,  artists  and  musicians  are 
usually  endowed. 

"  Which  side  is  the  best  landing-place?  "  he  asked  as 
they  drew  near  to  the  lovely  wooded  island. 

"  To  the  right  in  that  bit  of  a  creek,"  said  Macneillie, 
beginning  to  pay  heed  to  the  steering.  "  There  is  the 
boat,  I  see,  but  the  men  are  both  out  of  it." 

As  he  spoke  they  glided  into  the  little,  rocky  cleft  with 
its  overhanging  trees,  its  moss-grown  boulders,  its  patches 


WAYFARING  MEN  195 

of  crimson  heather  and  purple  ling.  Then  came  a  few 
minutes  of  utter  silence,  as  they  waited  for  Linklater's 
return;  Ealph  felt  anxious  and  restless,  each  minute 
seemed  to  him  an  hour,  and  he  feared  that  perhaps  after 
all  Christine  Greville  would  refuse  to  see  any  one.  As  for 
Macneillie  he  just  waited  like  one  who  is  intently  listen- 
ing, but  Kalph  was  not  sure  that  the  listening  was  for 
Christine's  voice  or  for  the  servant's  approaching  foot- 
steps, he  had  a  suspicion  that  it  was  for  something  much 
more  inward. 

At  length,  to  his  great  relief,  there  came  a  rustling 
among  the  boughs  and  a  trampling  of  feet,  and  in  a  min- 
ute Linklater  was  striding  down  over  the  rocks  towards 
the  boat,  bearing  a  note  in  his  hand.  Macneillie  thanked 
him  as  he  took  the  missive,  and  unfolding  it  less  deftly 
than  might  have  been  expected  of  a  seasoned  actor,  read 
the  following  words: 

"  You  are  the  only  man  I  could  bear  to  speak  to  yet; 
please  come." 

He  promptly  stepped  on  shore,  but  Ealph  lingered. 

"  I  will  stay  in  the  boat,"  he  suggested,  "  and  have  a 
pipe." 

"  Master  Charlie  is  very  anxious  you  should  come  and 
help  him  with  his  Kodak,  sir,"  said  Linklater,  respect- 
fully. "  He's  just  up  here  at  the  top,  and  her  ladyship  is 
at  the  further  side  of  the  island,  sketching." 

"  Very  well,  then,  I'll  come,"  said  Ealph,  and  he  fol- 
lowed his  friend  up  the  steep  ascent. 

In  a  little  clearing  at  the  top  they  found  the  small  boy, 
who  gave  a  war-whoop  of  delight  as  Ealph  emerged  from 
the  brushwood. 

"  If  I  hadn't  had  such  an  awful  longing  for  gooseber- 
ries, Dugald  would  never  have  met  you! "  he  said  glee- 
fully. "  Auntie  is  over  there  making  a  sketch,  she's  hid- 
den right  away  by  the  trees,  but  don't  go  to  her  just  yet, 
do  stay  and  help  us  lay  the  things  out  for  lunch,  Dugald 


196  IV AV FARING  MEN 

is  going  to  make  a  fire  and  boil  some  water,  he  thinks 
Auntie  will  like  some  tea,  she's  been  having  such  dread- 
ful headaches  the  last  few  days."  Macneillie  heard  no 
more,  he  left  Ealph  and  the  child,  and  Dugald  Linklater, 
and  made  his  way  straight  through  the  tangle  of  shrubs, 
trees,  and  bushes,  in  the  direction  that  Charlie  had  indi- 
cated. There  was  a  gleam  of  white  between  the  green 
leaves — ^^it  was  the  sun  lighting  up  the  sketching-block  on 
her  easel;  in  another  moment  he  had  parted  the  thickly- 
growing  branches  and  had  seen  her  once  more. 

She  was  sitting  on  a  fallen  tree — not  attempting  to 
sketch,  but  with  her  elbows  propped  on  her  knees  and 
her  face  hidden  by  one  of  those  shapely  white  hands  he 
had  so  often  kissed;  the  sun  made  a  dazzling  glory  of  her 
fair  hair;  her  light  grey  dress  and  grey  straw  hat  seemed 
exactly  to  harmonise  with  the  green  trees  and  the  patches 
of  heather.  She  had  always  had  that  instinct  of  "fit- 
ness "  which  makes  some  women  know  exactly  what  to 
wear,  and  when  to  wear  it. 

Macneillie  stood  for  a  minute  watching  intently  the 
down-bent  head,  his  heart  throbbing  so  fast  that  he  felt 
half-choked.  At  last,  putting  force  upon  himself,  he 
moved  forward.  His  step  recalled  her  from  her  sad 
reverie,  and  starting  to  her  feet  with  the  nervous  alarm 
of  one  who  has  lately  undergone  some  great  shock,  she 
looked  round  as  though  in  terror  of  pursuit.  That  star- 
tled movement,  and  the  momentary  expression  he  had 
seen  in  her  pale  face,  strengthened  Macneillie  as  nothing 
else  could  have  done;  he  forgot  all  about  himself,  realised 
only  that  she  wanted  his  protection. 

"You  need  not  be  afraid,"  he  said,  taking  her  hand  in 
his,  "  of  what  use  are  old  friends  if  not  to  help  you  in 
time  of  need?  " 

She  struggled  hard  to  reply,  but  her  eyes  swam  with 
tears,  her  lips  refused  to  frame  a  word. 

"  Let  us  bit  down  here  and  talk  things  over  quietly," 


WAYFARING  MEN  197 

said  Macncillie;  "  as  I  wrote  to  you  just  now,  Dugald 
Linklater  told  us  what  had  passed  at  Mcarn  Castle." 

"  He  told  you  what  he  knew,"  said  Christine  in  a  bro- 
ken voice.  "  He  could  not  tell  you  of  my  interview  with 
Sir  Roderick."  She  paused  for  a  minute,  then  the  pent- 
up  torrent  of  words  broke  forth.  "  I  have  heard  of 
women,  yes,  and  of  men,  too,  refusing  to  be  separated 
from  a  guilty  partner;  but  there  must  at  least  be  a  gen- 
uine repentance  to  make  such  a  plan  even  moral.  There 
was  none  with  Sir  Eoderick.  He  was  vexed  at  the  dis- 
covery, but  he  made  light  of  the  sin  itself.  In  my  pres- 
ence he  laughed  over  the  affair.  The  house  seemed  like 
hell.     I  could  not  have  stayed  in  it  another  hour!  " 

The  look  of  shrinking  horror  in  her  face  tortured  Mac- 
neillie,  who  could  so  well  understand  how  her  whole 
being  recoiled  from  the  foul  atmosphere  that  had  sur- 
rounded her.  It  was  because  he  understood  how  she  felt 
herself  degraded  by  all  she  had  lived  through  that  he  in- 
tuitively stretched  out  his  hand  for  hers,  and  held  it  in  a 
strong,  firm  clasp. 

"  Do  not  dwell  on  all  this,"  he  said,  "  but  tell  me  how  I 
can  help  you." 

His  quiet,  tender  voice,  the  reverence  of  his  manner 
quickly  soothed  her.  She  looked  up  into  his  face,  and 
by  that  mere  look  seemed  to  draw  in  endless  stores  of 
strength  and  comfort, 

"  Do  you  know,"  she  exclaimed  with  seeming  irrele- 
vance, "  what  Ralph  Denmead  said  about  the  day  you 
found  him  in  the  Pass  of  Leny,  when  he  was  lying  there 
ill  and  half-starved,  and  looked  up  to  see  you  bending 
over  him?  He  said  it  was  like  looking  up  into  the  face 
of  the  Christ! " 

"  Poor  boy!  "  said  Macneillie.  "  He  was  in  an  awful 
plight,  no  one  with  a  grain  of  kindliness  in  his  nature 
could  have  passed  him  by.  He  has  made  me  his  debtor 
for  life  now,  though;  it  is  through  him  that  I  have  met 
you  to-day." 


198  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  We  little  thought,"  said  Christine,  "  that  those  two 
children  in  St.  James's  Park,  playing  with  their  boat, 
would  have  anything  to  do  with  our  future.  How  is  it, 
though,  that  you  are  grateful  to  him  for  bringing  about 
this  meeting?  It  is  I  who  am  grateful  to  him.  But  you 
who  have  so  much  to  forgive — you  who  have  avoided  me 
all  these  years ?  " 

"  I  dared  not  seek  you  out,"  said  Macneillie,  "  our 
paths  parted  naturally,  and  it  was  safer  so.  What  could 
I  have  done  for  you  then?  But  now  all  is  different.  Are 
none  of  your  people  coming  to  be  with  you?  " 

"  There  is  no  one  to  come.  As  you  heard,  I  daresay, 
my  father  died  four  years  ago." 

"  Yes,  I  saw  the  notice  in  the  papers,"  said  Macneil- 
lie. 

"  He  lived  just  long  enough,"  she  resumed,  "  to  see 
how  miserably  his  scheme  had  failed.  I  had  married  to 
please  him  and  to  help  the  family.  Well,  my  sister's  hus- 
band, with  no  help  at  all  from  me  or  my  position,  got  an 
excellent  appointment  in  Ceylon,  so  there  again  the 
scheme  proved  useless.  Three  years  ago  my  mother 
went  out  to  live  with  her  there,  she  could  do  nothing  to 
make  me  less  miserable,  and  it  only  pained  her  to  see  my 
unhappiness.  She  realises  things  less  at  a  distance,  and 
now  she  is  too  much  of  an  invalid  to  bear  the  return 
voyage.  A  year  ago  they  sent  me  back  Charlie,  Clara's 
little  boy,  and  he  has  been  a  great  comfort.  Except  for 
him  I  am  quite  alone." 

"  I  want  you  to  understand,"  said  Macneillie,  "  that  it 
is  still  my  highest  happiness  to  serve  you.  It  is  quite 
possible  that  in  the  difficult  position  you  are  in  you  may 
need  the  help  of  a  friend." 

"Do  I  deserve  your  friendship?"  she  said  question- 
ingly;  "you  stood  aloof  all  these  years — you  would  not 
be  my  friend  then,  though  I  asked  you." 

"  If  I  had  been  a  worse  man  I  should  have  accepted  the 


WAYFARING  MEN  199 

place  you  olfered  in  your  company,"  said  Macneillie;  "  or 
perhaps  if  I  had  been  a  better  man,  I  could  entirely  have 
effaced  myself  and  dared  to  take  such  a  perilous  post. 
But  as  things  were,  it  seemed  best  to  go  right  away.  Did 
you  not  understand?  " 

"  Yes,  yes,"  she  said  in  a  choked  voice.  "  I  under- 
stood— and  honoured  you.  Is  it  only  seven  years  since 
you  and  I  acted  together?  It  seems  to  me  a  life-time. 
All  that  has  gone  between  has  been  a  sort  of  dreadful 
nightmxare.  And  the  worst  of  it  was  the  feeling  that  I 
had  deserved  the  misery,  had  deliberately  chosen  the  low 
level  and  fought  against  you  when  you  tried  to  drag  me 
up.  Oh,  it  is  so  long  since  I  had  a  real  friend  to  talk  to — 
may  I  tell  you  all  ?  " 

"  Of  course,"  he  said,  gently.  "  Why  not?  " 
"  After  a  year  of  it  I  had  grown  almost  desperate,"  she 
said,  clenching  her  hands  tightly,  like  one  in  pain,  "  and 
the  season's  work  had  tired  me  out;  it  seemed  no  use  to 
try  any  longer  even  to  live  an  honest  life.  There  was 
only  one  thing  that  still  held  me  back.  I  knew  if  I  sank 
lower  still  it  would  grieve  you  more  than  all,  and  the 
thought  of  the  pain  I  had  already  given  you  was  always 
with  me.  Then  one  Sunday  afternoon  I  happened  to  be 
alone.  Sir  Roderick  had  gone  to  stay  with  some  friends 
for  the  Ascot  week,  and  there  came  to  me  a  little  girl 
bringing  a  note  from  Lucy  Seymour — you  remember 
how  soon  after  you  and  I  were  engaged  we  had  been  able 
to  help  her  when  she  was  in  great  trouble.  Well,  she 
wrote  that  her  husband  had  died  abroad  and  that  she  had 
just  returned  with  her  child,  was  herself  dying  and  wanted 
to  see  me.  I  went  to  her  at  once  and  found  her  in  great 
poverty,  and  in  terror  of  being  turned  out  of  her  lodgings 
before  the  end.  Her  life,  she  said,  had  been  a  very  happy 
one,  thanks  to  you  and  me.  Oh,  if  you  could  have  heard 
her  gratitude  for  the  past.  Every  word  she  said  seemed 
to  draw  me  back  from  the  horrible  indifference  that  had 


200  WAYFARING  MEN 

paralysed  me — she  somehow  stirred  up  all  my  Lest  memo- 
ries. She  had  heard  that  you  were  in  America,  or  she 
would  have  appealed  first  to  you,  for  the  help  had  been 
chiefly  your  doing." 

"  Did  she  die?  "  asked  Macneillie. 

"  Yes,  about  ten  days  after  that  Sunday.  I  had  prom- 
ised to  send  her  little  girl  to  school,  and  to  befriend  her, 
if,  later  on,  she  went  into  the  profession,  and  after  that 
Lucy  seemed  actually  to  long  for  death,  young  as  she 
was.  I  saw  her  every  day,  and  the  last  night  they  sent 
word  to  the  theatre  that  there  was  a  sudden  change  for 
the  worse.  Directly  my  part  was  over,  I  went  to  her; 
she  died  very  happily  and  peacefully,  just  as  day  was 
breaking.  I  had  never  seen  any  one  die  before,  and  on 
the  stage  death  is  always  made  somehow  to  seem  like  an 
end,  a  grand  sort  of  finale.  But  Lucy's  death  was  not 
like  an  end  at  all,  it  was  as  quiet  and  serene  as  if  she  had 
been  merely  turning  a  page  in  a  book.  I  can't  describe 
to  you  how  it  altered  all  my  ideas.  Afterwards  there  was 
her  little  girl  to  care  for,  and  that  helped  me  too,  and 
though  I  knew  everj'thing  must  still  be  hard,  I  tried  after 
that — tried  my  very  best  to  please  Sir  Roderick,  and  as 
far  as  I  could  to  make  our  home  life  more  endurable. 
We  had  each  of  us  been  much  to  blame  in  marrying  with- 
out any  real  love,  and  I  knew  that  I  must  '  dree  my 
weirrl,'  as  you  used  to  say.  Well,  it  is  over  now — over, 
and  I  can  hardly  yet  realise  things.  Last  night  I  wrote 
to  my  solicitor." 

"  I  hope  he  is  a  good  one,"  said  Macneillie. 

"Yes,  Mr.  Marriott,  of  Basinghall  Street;  but  I  am 
half  afraid  whether  he  himself  is  back  yet  from  his  voy- 
age." 

"  Ralph  Denmead  may  know,  he  is  an  old  friend  of 
his.  I  will  inquire.  But  in  any  case  many  montlis  are 
sure  to  pass  before  all  the  legal  forms  are  gone  through, 
and  in  the  meantime  you  will  have  to  live  as  quietly  and 
guardedly  as  possible.     Have  you  realised  that?  " 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  201 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  with  a  little  shiver.  "  A  fortnight  of 
country-house  life,  in  such  a  place  as  Mearn  Castle,  makes 
one  realise  evil  more  keenly  than  years  on  the  stage." 

She  remembered  miserably  the  people  she  had  met 
there — men  and  women  so  utterly  unprincipled  that  she 
loathed  and  despised  them.  She  remembered  the  callous 
indifference  with  which  her  husband  had  observed  all  the 
annoyances  to  which  she  was  subjected.  She  remem- 
bered the  age-long  hours,  unoccupied  by  professional 
work — barren  of  all  that  could  be  called  emplojnnent. 

And  then,  turning  from  the  past  as  from  some  hideous 
dream,  she  thought  how  restful  it  was  to  be  here  in  this 
little  island,  with  the  man  whose  heart  had  never  faltered 
from  its  allegiance,  the  lover  whose  self-sacrificing  con- 
stancy was  as  untiring  as  the  love  of  God.  Never  from 
his  lips  would  she  have  heard  such  words  as  had  filled  her 
with  a  sense  of  degradation  at  Meam  Castle.  It  was  the 
depth  of  his  love,  the  fineness  of  his  reverence,  which 
kept  him  now  from  expressing  the  passion  which  she 
knew  filled  his  heart.  He  would  wait  till  the  law  had 
declared  her  freedom — would  wait  and  think  only  of 
how  she  could  best  be  shielded  from  the  strife  of 
tongues." 

"  If  you  are  really  at  a  loss  for  some  quiet  place,  and 
for  friends  who  can  rightly  protect  you,  why  should  you 
not  go  for  a  time  to  the  Herefords'  house  near  Firdale?  " 
said  Macneillie. 

"  I  know  them  very  slightly,"  she  objected.  "  Be- 
sides, is  not  that  meant  for  people  who  have  no  money?  " 

"  Monkton  Vemey  is  for  all,  I  think,  who  are  in  need — 
it's  a  Cave  of  Adullam — and  though  you  don't  know  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hereford  well,  you  know  Miss  Claremont  and 
she  is  the  practical  head  of  things." 

"  I  will  at  any  rate  write  to  her,  she  is  a  wonderful 
woman  for  understanding,"  said  Christine.  "  I  am  glad 
you  reminded  me  of  her." 


202  WAYFARING  MEN 

Macneillie  stood  up,  for  he  knew  that  it  would  be  un- 
wise to  stay  longer,  and  that  he  must  somehow  tear 
himself  away. 

"  Write  and  let  me  know  whether  you  go  there,"  he 
said;  "  and  don't  forget  that  if  I  can  do  anything  for  you 
in  any  way,  I  have  at  least  the  right  of  an  old  friend.  I 
see  the  steamer  over  yonder,  and  before  long  a  host  of 
people  will  be  at  the  landing-stage  and  some  of  them  may 
be  rowing  out  to  visit  Ellen's  Isle.  Even  here,  in  this 
paradise,  Satan  walks  you  see  in  the  shape  of  the  gossip- 
ing British  tourist;  and  your  face  and  mine  are  public 
property.     I  might  do  harm  by  staying  here." 

"  Not  even  here,"  she  sighed,  "  in  this  lonely  place? 
And  it's  so  long  since  I  saw  you!  " 

lie  took  her  hand  in  his,  and  held  it  for  a  minute  ten- 
derly; looking  into  his  face,  the  beauty  of  its  expression 
of  strong  patience  startled  her. 

"  No,  not  even  here,"  he  said  with  a  quiet  smile. 
"  Your  reputation  is  too  precious  to  me.  But  remember 
that  in  any  difficulty  or  danger  I  have  the  first  right  to 
help  you." 

His  courage  nerved  her  to  face  the  parting  and  even  to 
assume  an  air  of  cheerfulness, 

"  I  must  come  back  to  Charlie,"  she  said.  "  He  is 
sure  to  be  hungry,  and  there  will  be  plenty  of  time  for  you 
to  have  lunch,  too,  before  any  tourists  molest  us." 

So  together  they  walked  to  the  little  encampment, 
where  they  found  the  photographers  fraternising  over 
the  Kodak,  while  Dugald  had  the  tea  just  ready.  And 
since  laughter  and  tears  are  not  far  apart,  and  the  very 
people  who  have  lived  through  a  tragedy  are  happily  the 
ones  most  easily  moved  to  see  all  that  is  humorous  in 
daily  life,  there  followed  a  cheerful  meal  which  might 
have  surprised  and  even  shocked  a  mere  superficial  ob- 
server of  life,  but  contained  elements  of  comfort  in  it  for 
all  v/ho  understood  the  griefs  and  trials  of  human-kind. 


11^  AY  FARING  MEN  203 

Crowning  it  all  was  the  unalloyed  happiness  of  the  child, 
whose  beaming  face  and  ringing  laughter  soothed  Chris- 
tine's sore  heart  as  nothing  else  could  have  done. 

*'  Auf  wiederseJien  ! "  said  Macneillie,  when  the  last 
moment  had  come,  and  Christine  said  nothing,  but  all  her 
soul  seemed  in  her  eyes  as  she  lifted  them  to  his. 


CHAPTER  XX 

"  Paint  those  eyes,  so  blue,  so  kind, 
Eag^er  tell-tales  of  her  mind  ; 
Paint  with  their  impetuous  stress 
Of  inquiring  tenderness  ; 
Those  frank  eyes,  where  deep  doth  lie 
An  angelic  gravity." 

Matthew  Arnold. 

The  last  day  of  Evereld's  school  life  was  drawing  to  a 
close,  "  packing  day  "  as  they  called  it,  and  when  it  had 
beea  a  mere  question  of  the  beginning  of  the  holidays  it 
had  always  been  a  rather  festive  occasion.  But  on  this 
last  evening,  standing  at  the  threshold  of  a  new  untried 
life,  there  was  a  good  deal  of  sadness  about  it,  and  her 
usually  bright  face  was  a  little  clouded  as  she  paced  up  and 
down  a  shady  garden  walk  with  her  special  friend  Bride 
O'Kyan.  The  merry  voices  of  the  younger  children,  as 
they  played  hide  and  seek,  and  now  and  then  a  distant 
sound  of  applause  from  those  who  were  watching  the  ten- 
nis players,  made  her  feel  melancholy,  for  to-morrow  she 
would  no  longer  have  her  nook  in  this  happy,  busy  hive 
of  industry,  would  no  longer  have  a  share  in  the  genial 
life,  but  would  be  in  a  very  different  home,  a  home  which 
was  not  her  own,  which  had  never  seemed  in  the  least 
homelike,  and  to  which  she  did  not  at  all  want  to  return. 
A  happy  remembrance  caused  her  cheerfulness  to  return. 

"  Oh,  Bride!  "  she  exclaimed,  "perhaps,  after  all.  Sir 
Matthew  will  let  me  spend  the  next  fortnight  with  you 
83  we  begged.  He  won't  let  me  go  to  Ireland,  he  was 
quite  set  against  that,  but  he  may  say  yes  to  your  sister's 
second  letter." 


IV  AY  FARING   MEN  205 

*'To  be  sure,"  said  Bride,  with  her  most  good-hu- 
moured smile.  "  Why  should  he  be  saying  no  to  such  a 
sensible  plan  ?  He  can't  wish  to  have  you  in  town  for  the 
first  part  of  August.  Doreen  has  plenty  of  room  for  you 
in  this  house  she  has  taken  on  the  Parade,  and  we  will 
bathe  every  day,  and  have  no  end  of  fun." 

**  Here  comes  Aimee  with  a  letter.  Bride,  I  believe  it 
will  be  from  Sir  Matthew ;  things  come  just  when  one  is 
talking  about  them." 

A  pretty  dark-haired  girl  now  approached  them. 

"  Fraulein  asked  me  to  give  you  this  note,"  she  said, 
**  I  believe  it  is  from  Cousin  Doreeu." 

"  Yes,  that's  Doreen's  writing,"  said  Bride.  "  Read  it 
quickly,  do." 

And  Evereld  read  as  follows  : 

"  My  Dear  Evereld, 

We  shall  be  delig-hted  if  you  will  spend  the  next  fortnight 
with  us  here  at  Southbourne.  Sir  Matthew  is  quite  willing' 
that  you  should  do  so,  though  he  cannot  spare  you  to  us 
after  the  14th  August,  as  he  wishes  you  to  go  with  him  to 
Switzerland.  I  would  have  liked  you  to  see  our  Irish  moun- 
tains first  ;  however,  they  can  hold  their  own  very  well 
Against  any  Alp  ever  created,  and  you  must  come  and  stay 
with  us  next  year  instead.  Tell  Bride  to  bring  j'ou  as  early 
to-morrow  morning  as  you  like. 

Yours  affectionately, 

DoREEN  Hereford." 

This  note  gave  general  satisfaction,  and  the  three 
friends  yielded  to  the  entreaties  of  some  of  the  younger 
children  and  entered  with  spirit  into  the  game  of  hide 
and  seek,  Evereld  feeling  all  the  delight  of  a  reprieve  as 
she  realised  that  for  a  whole  fortnight  she  should  be  able 
to  stay  at  Southbourne  and  to  postpone  the  parting  with 
Bride. 

The  next  morning  when,  somewhat  saddened  by  all 
the  partings  they  had  been  through,  the  two  girls  were 
driving  down  to  the  Parade,  they  suddenly  caught  sight 
of  a  huge  poster  announcing  the  advent  on  the  following 


<( 


2o6  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

Monday  of  Mr.  Hugh  Macneillie's  Company,  and  the  per- 
formance of  "  The  Winter's  Tale,"  "  The  Eivals  "  and 
"  The  Lady  of  Lyons."  Evereld  knew  nothing  of  Ralph's 
movements;  nothing  had  been  heard  from  him  since  the 
Easter  holidays,  when  he  had  still  been  travelling  in  Scot- 
land. She  looked,  however,  with  no  small  interest  at  this 
poster,  having  always  remembered  their  childish  worship 
of  Macneillie. 

I  have  never  seen  '  The  Winter's  Tale,' "  said  Bride. 

We  must  certainly  go.  Doreen  is  always  delighted  if 
we  want  to  see  one  of  Shakspere's  plays." 

By  this  time  they  had  arrived  at  their  destination  and 
Evereld  who  already  knew  her  friend's  family  very  in- 
timately found  herself  in  the  midst  of  a  lively  babel  of 
voices,  warmly  greeted  by  pretty  Mrs.  Hereford,  hugged 
by  her  three  children,  and  speedily  made  to  feel  quite  at 
home. 

"How  is  Dermot?"  asked  Bride. 

"  Much  better,"  replied  her  sister,  "  you  will  find  him 
with  Jlollie  in  the  drawing-room.  Let  me  see,  Evereld 
lias  not  yet  met  him.  We  must  present  the  family  patriot 
to  you.  Poor  boy  he  has  always  been  unlucky,  and  since 
his  release  a  year  ago  from  Clonmel  gaol  he  has  been 
desperately  ill." 

Evereld  felt  a  little  in  awe  of  the  released  victim  of  the 
Coercion  Act,  but  he  proved  to  be  the  gentlest-mannered 
of  mortals,  and  her  womanly  heart  went  out  at  once  to  the 
hollow-cheeked,  large-eyed  invalid  whose  humourous 
smile  only  seemed  to  add  to  the  pathos  of  his  face. 

She  was  sitting  the  next  day  beside  his  Bath-chair  on 
the  Parade  while  Mrs.  Hereford  read  to  her  children 
when,  as  she  was  watching  the  sedate  couples  who  passed 
by  in  their  Sunday  best,  she  suddenly  perceived  at  a  little 
distance  a  figure  that  seemed  strangely  familiar.  Surely 
no  one  but  Ralph  had  precisely  that  quick,  light  step? 
His  face  was  turned  away  from  her,  he  was  intent  on  the 


WAYFARING  MEN  207 

sea,  watching  the  waves  like  one  who  loved  them  and  had 
no  attention  to  bestow  on  anything  else.  He  was  almost 
passing  them  with  only  the  breadth  of  the  Parade  between 
when  a  puff  of  wind  suddenly  whirled  away  a  paper  which 
Dermot  had  been  reading,  and  hastily  glancing  round  he 
picked  it  up  and  crossed  over  to  restore  it  to  its  owner. 

"  Ealph! "  exclaimed  Evereld  springing  to  her  feet. 

"  You  are  here  still!  "  he  cried,  his  whole  face  lighting 
up,  "  I  thought  your  holidays  would  certainly  have  begun. 
What  good  fortune  to  find  you  so  unexpectedly." 

"  I  have  left  school  and  am  staying  with  Mrs.  Here- 
ford for  a  fortnight.    I  must  introduce  you  to  her." 

Mrs.  Hereford  knew  all  about  Ralph  Denmead,  and  had 
always  felt  that  he  had  been  harshly  treated  by  Sir  Mat- 
thew Mactavish.  She  looked  at  him  now  searchingly  and 
she  liked  him.  He  had  one  of  those  sensitive  mouths  that 
droop  a  little  at  the  corners  in  depression  or  fatigue,  but 
smile  as  other  mouths  cannot  smile.  The  classical  nose 
and  well-moulded  chin  added  character  to  what  was 
otherwise  just  a  pleasant,  boyish  face,  bearing  upon  it  the 
stamp — "  good  cricketer."  And  the  thick  brown  hair 
not  quite  so  closely  cropped  as  the  hideous  prevailing 
fashion  demanded,  and  the  absence  of  beard  or  moustache 
bespoke  him  an  actor.  AVhat  she  liked  best  about  him, 
however,  were  his  clear  honest  brown  eyes,  which  had  the 
power  of  lighting  up  with  a  most  refreshing  mirthfulness. 
There  was  something  touching  in  the  unfeigned  delight 
of  the  friends  in  this  wholly  unexpected  meeting,  and 
Mrs.  Hereford  was  determined  that  they  should  have  the 
chance  of  an  uninterrupted  talk. 

"  There  is  still  an  hour  before  tea-time,"  she  said, 
glancing  at  her  watch.  "  Take  ;Mr.  Denmead  to  see  the 
view  at  the  end  of  the  Parade,  Evereld,  and  then  let  us 
all  come  home  together." 

The  two  fell  in  with  this  plan  very  readily.  The  only 
difference  between  them  and  the  couples  Evereld  had 


2o8  WAYFARING  MEN 

lately  been  watching  was  that  they  walked  much  faster 
and  talked  a  great  deal  more.  For  there  was  much  to  tell 
and  to  hear,  and  Evereld  wanted  to  learn  every  detail  of 
the  unlucky  Scotch  tour,  and  was  delighted  above  meas- 
ure to  think  that  their  licro  Macneillie  should  have  come 
to  the  rescue  so  opportunely. 

"  We  saw  that  his  Company  was  here  to-morrow  for  a 
week,"  she  said,  blithely.  "  How  little  I  dreamed  that 
you  were  with  him,  Ralph.  Mrs.  Hereford  is  going  to 
take  us  to  see  '  The  Winter's  Tale.'  I  do  hope  you  have 
a  nice  part." 

"  Yes,  I  am  Florizei.  It's  a  very  nice  part  indeed," 
said  Ralph.  "  And  there  is  such  a  jolly  country  dance. 
You'll  like  that.  You  can't  think  what  a  difference  it  is 
to  be  in  a  Company  like  this  after  travelling  with  those 
awful  Skoots." 

"  Which  was  the  worst  of  the  two,  the  husband  or  the 
wife?" 

"  Oh  the  husband  was  a  swindler,  but  Mrs.  Skoot  passes 
description.  How  she  did  hate  me,  too!  If  I  had  had  the 
money  to  do  it  I  might  easily  have  brought  an  action 
against  her  for  abusive  language.  Towards  the  end  of 
the  time  she  was  never  quite  sober  and  once  at  a  railway 
station  she  was  so  hopelessly  drunk  that  she  tumbled 
headlong  down  a  flight  of  steps,  alighting  exactly  on  the 
top  of  my  bath,  which  she  nearly  knocked  into  a  cocked 
hat!  We  know  now  that  all  the  weeks  they  were  not 
paying  us  a  penny,  so  that  many  of  us  were  half  starved, 
she  had  money  of  her  own  hoarded  away,  and  no  doubt 
they  are  living  on  it  comfortably  enough." 

"  What  became  of  that  poor  little  Ivy  Grant?  " 

"  She  stayed  for  a  week  with  my  old  landlady  and  then 
managed  to  get  into  another  travelling  company,  where 
.=;he  seems  to  be  getting  on  well.  The  Professor  died  just 
after  her  return.  He  was  no  protection  to  her,  poor  old 
man,  in  fact  it  was  quite  the  other  way.    She  had  to  sup- 


WAYFARING  MEN  209 

port  him,  he  was  invalided  and  a  confirmed  opium-eater. 
Still  it  seems  lonely  for  Ivy.  She  is  a  very  plucky  little 
girl  though, and  will,  I  fancy, get  on  well  in  the  profession. 
Now  tell  me  about  yourself.  How  did  you  get  to  know 
Mrs.  Hereford?  and  who  is  she?  " 

"  She  is  the  married  sister  of  my  great  friend  at  school, 
Bride  O'Kyan;  you  will  see  Bride  when  we  go  back  to  tea, 
and  I  know  you'll  like  her.  Every  one  likes  her,  she  is 
such  fun  and  she  is  always  so  good-tempered.  Mrs.  Here- 
ford lives  partly  in  Ireland,  but  most  of  the  year  in  Gros- 
venor  Square  because  her  husband  is  in  Parliament.  And 
Bride  will  live  with  her  now  that  she  has  left  school.  They 
were  all  left  orphans,  and  Mrs.  Hereford,  who  was  a  good 
deal  older  than  the  others,  brought  them  up.  I  never  knew 
anyone  so  good  and  delightful  as  she  is." 

"  I  can't  think  where  I  heard  the  name  of  Hereford 
just  lately,"  said  Ealph  musingly. 

"  Perhaps  it  was  from  Mr.  Macneillie,  I  think  Mrs. 
Hereford  has  met  him  once  or  twice." 

"  That  was  it,"  said  Ralph,  "  Macneillie  was  telling  me 
how  Mr.  Hereford  gave  up  his  property,  Monkton  Verney, 
and  turned  it  into  a  sort  of  Cave  of  Adullam." 

He  did  not  mention  to  Evereld  that  Christine  Greville 
was  now  sta}'ing  at  this  very  place.  Sooner  or  later  she 
was  sure  to  hear  the  whole  story,  but  he  shrank  from  tell- 
ing her  what  had  passed  at  Mearn  Castle,  and  in  no  other 
way  could  he  explain  the  step  Lady  Fenchurch  had  taken. 

"  What  is  Mr.  Hereford  like?  "  he  inquired. 

"  I  like  him  very  much,"  said  Evereld;  "  he  is  down 
here  until  to-morrow,  so  you  will  see  him  for  yourself. 
Bride  says  that  till  he  was  married  he  never  seemed  to 
settle  down  to  anything,  that  he  was  the  sort  of  man  every- 
one expected  to  do  great  things,  and  he  never  did  them. 
But  afterwards  it  was  quite  different;  he  began  to  work 
very  hard,  and  now  she  says  out  in  county  Wicklow  the 
peasants  love  him,  and  he  makes  such  a  good  landlord. 
Bride  says  he's  almost  as  Irish  as  they  are." 


210  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  And  you  are  here  with  them  for  a  fortnight?  Where 
after  that?" 

"  With  the  Mactavishs  in  Switzerland.  We  shall  be  a 
party  of  six  altogether.  I  am  to  go  to  keep  Lady  Mac- 
tavish  company,  for  Minnie  will  be  a  good  deal  taken  up 
you  see  with  Major  Gillot;  they  are  engaged,  the  wedding 
is  to  be  this  autumn.  Then  there  will  be  Sir  Matthew 
and  Mr.  Bruce  Wylie." 

"  The  inevitable  WyHe!  "  said  Ralph  impatiently.  "  I 
hate  that  man." 

"  And  I  like  him  very  much,"  said  Evereld  perversely. 
"You  always  had  a  most  unfair  prejudice  against  him. 
He  will  certainly  be  the  life  of  the  party.  I  was  delighted 
to  hear  that  he  was  going." 

Ralph's  face  grew  grave,  there  was  an  expression  in  it 
which  startled  Evereld  as  he  turned  towards  her. 

"  Tell  me  in  earnest,"  he  said  anxiously.  "  Do  you 
really  like  this  man?  " 

Her  truthful  eyes  met  his  fully. 

"  Only  as  I  like  an  elderly  man  who  used  to  give  us 
chocolates  and  treats  when  we  were  children,"  she  said 
quietly. 

Ralph  in  his  relief  laughed  aloud. 

"  He  wouldn't  be  flattered  if  he  knew  that  you  called 
him  elderly.  He  thinks  himself  just  in  his  prime.  How 
long  shall  you  be  abroad?  " 

"  Six  weeks  I  think,"  said  Evereld. 

There  was  a  silence.  They  had  walked  to  the  extreme 
end  of  the  Parade  and  had  wandered  down  to  the  sea  it- 
self. "  Let  us  sit  here  by  this  boat,"  she  suggested.  "  It 
is  so  hot  walking." 

Ralph  silently  assented;  she  glanced  at  him  in  some 
perplexit}'.  Why  had  he  so  suddenly  become  quiet  and 
troubled. 

"  Something  has  vexed  you,"  she  said  gently,  yet  with 
a  smile.    "  A  penny  for  your  thoughts." 


WAYFARING  MEN  an 

"  I  am  thinking,"  said  Ealph,  "  how  hard  it  is  that 
every  holiday-maker,  every  idle  lounger  in  Switzerland 
will  have  the  chance  of  being  with  you  while  I  am  al- 
together cut  off  from  your  set,  and  can  only  tliink  how 
other  men  will  be  making  love  to  you." 

*'  They  won't,"  she  said  in  low  tones.  "  A  girl  can  al- 
ways stop  that  if  she  chooses.  I  have  heard  Mrs.  Here- 
ford say  so." 

"  If  you  were  going  to  be  with  her  it  would  be  more 
bearable.  But  you  will  be  with  Sir  Matthew,  whose  one 
idea  is  how  to  make  other  people  and  other  people's  money 
serve  his  purposes.  Don't  stop  me  Evereld — I  can't  help 
it — I  distrust  him  and  with  very  good  cause.  He  and  his 
hateful  speculations  were  the  death  of  my  father.  I  have 
proof  of  that,  actual  proof." 

"  Then  I  am  surprised  at  nothing,"  said  Evereld,  un- 
derstanding now  all  the  ill-concealed  dislike  and  antago- 
nism between  Sir  Matthew  and  Ralph  which  had  often 
puzzled  her  in  past  times. 

"  He  ruined  my  childhood,"  said  Ealph  hotly,  "  and 
must  I  now  stand  calmly  by  while  he  ruins  the  rest  of 
my  life?  Evereld!" — there  was  a  passionate  appeal  in 
his  voice  which  stirred  the  very  depths  of  her  heart,  "  I 
have  no  right  yet  to  ask  you  to  be  my  wife — my  career 
is  only  beginning — but  my  darling,  I  love  you — I  love 
you! " 

He  saw  her  flush  and  tremble,  but  she  Avas  quite  silent. 
Her  words  about  a  girl  always  being  able  to  stop  that  sort 
of  thing  if  she  chose  came  back  to  his  mind. 

"  Are  you  angry  with  me?  "  he  said  pleadingly.  "  I 
meant  to  have  waited  for  years  before  speaking,  but  I  was 
carried  away." 

She  lifted  her  blue  eyes  to  his,  they  were  bright  and 
dewy,  and  in  her  face  there  seemed  to  be  the  glow  of  sun- 
rise. 

"  I  am  glad  you  didn't  wait,  Ealph,"  she  said  softly. 


213  WAYFARING  MEN 

Whereupon  Ealph  had  the  audacity  to  kiss  her  in  the 
full  light  of  day  as  they  sat  under  the  shelter  of  the  boat; 
and  no  one  was  any  the  wiser  save  an  old  fisherman  who 
was  blest  with  exceptionally  long  eyesight;  he,  with  a 
smile,  fell  to  thinking  of  his  own  young  days,  and  softly 
sang  as  he  filled  his  Sunday  pipe  the  refrain  of  a  sailor's 
song: 

"Polly,  my  Polly, 
She  is  so  jolly, 
The  bonniest  lass  in  the  world  !  " 

« 

The  two  were  silently  but  rapturously  happy,  and  it 
was  some  little  time  before  any  thought  of  other  people 
came  to  trouble  Ealph.  As  for  Evereld  her  heart  seemed 
to  beat  to  the  rhythm  of  his  words,  "  I  love  you!  "  and  she 
was  not  at  all  disposed  to  consider  the  question  which  soon 
formed  itself  in  his  mind. 

"I  wonder  whether  I  was  wrong  to  speak,"  he  said. 
"  You  must  remember  darling  that  you  are  free,  alto- 
gether free.  After  all,  you  have  seen  nothing  of  the  world. 
You  are  not  to  let  the  thought  of  my  love  bind  you." 

"  Perhaps  I  ought  not  to  make  a  promise  while  I  am  Sir 
Matthew's  ward,"  said  Evereld.  "  That  is  the  only  thing 
which  would  make  me  wish  to  wait;  and  now  that  we 
understand  each  other  the  waiting  ought  not  to  be  too 
hard." 

"  Suppose  you  tell  Mrs.  Hereford  Just  the  whole  truth," 
said  Ralph,  "  and  see  what  she  advises.  I  shall  feel  hap- 
pier about  it  if  you  have  someone  to  turn  to,  and  if  she  is 
what  she  seems  to  be  one  could  trust  her  with  anything. 
I  wish  I  could  talk  to  her  some  day." 

"  Well  that  can  easily  be  managed,"  said  Evereld.  "  I 
will  tell  her  to-night.  I  am  sure  you  are  right  about  that. 
Though  Sir  Matthew  is  untrustworthy  we  can  trust  her, 
and  as  I  am  under  her  care  here  it  seems  right  somehow 
that  she  should  know." 


WAYFARING  MEN  213 

"  She  will  certainly  think  me  the  most  presumptuous 
fellow  she  ever  met/'  said  Ralph.  "  Looking  at  it  from 
an  outsider's  point  of  view  it  is  as  bad  as  it  can  be.  A  fel- 
low who  is  not  quite  one  and  twenty,  and  only  earning 
three  pounds  a  week!  Mrs.  Hereford  will  call  me  '  The 
first  of  the  Fortune  Hunters,'  and  will  warn  you  against 
me." 

"  We  shall  see,"  said  Evereld  laughing.  "  I  shall  be  very 
much  disappointed  in  her  if  she  doesn't  understand  vou 
better." 

"  Are  you  sure  that  you  understand  me?  "  he  said  wist- 
fully. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  her  sweet  eyes  smiling  into  his.  "  I 
have  summered  and  wintered  you  a  great  many  times,  as 
Bridget  would  say,  and  I  very  well  know  Ealph  that  you 
would  much  prefer  it  if  my  father  had  left  me  three  hun- 
dred instead  of  three  thousand  a  year.  I  think  it  is  a  little 
foolish  of  you,  for  as  long  as  we  share  it  what  does  it  mat- 
ter which  side  it  comes  from?  " 

A  church  clock  striking  four  warned  them  that  they 
must  hasten  back,  and  when  they  rejoined  the  others  they 
were  chatting  together  so  naturally  that  no  one  dreamt 
what  an  important  scene  in  their  drama  had  been  played 
at  the  other  end  of  the  beach. 

Ralph  found  himself  speedily  made  to  feel  at  home  in 
the  delightful  atmosphere  of  the  Irish  household,  with  its 
mirth  and  good  humour,  its  cheerful  babel  of  voices.  It 
delighted  him  to  think  that  Evereld  who  had  known  noth- 
ing of  real  family  life  should  have  found  such  friends, 
and  he  went  back  to  his  rooms  later  on  in  the  highest 
spirits. 

The  Herefords  had  guessed  nothing  of  his  story  and  the 
O'Ryans  had  been  too  much  taken  up  Avith  their  own 
merry  discussions  to  be  very  obser^^ant,  but  Macneillie  saw 
at  a  glance  the  change  that  had  come  over  his  pupil. 

""Well?"  he  said  in  his  genial  voice.  "What  good 
fortune  has  befallen  vou?  " 


214  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  1  have  found  Evcreld,"  said  Ealph  blithely.  "  She  is 
staying  on  the  Parade  with  the  Max  Herefords.  Here's 
a  note  for  you,  by  the  bye.  They  want  us  to  breakfast 
with  them  to-morrow  at  half  past  nine,  it  was  the  only 
free  time,  for  they  lunch  at  one,  as  he  has  to  go  up  to  town, 
and  I  knew  rehearsal  wouldn't  be  over  by  then." 

"  No,"  said  Macneilhe  lighting  a  cigarette,  "  in  your 
present  mood  you're  about  as  likely  to  give  your  mind  to 
Shakspere  as  that  lover  and  his  lass,"  glancing  at  a  very 
demonstrative  couple  on  the  other  side  of  the  road. 

"  We  shall  have  a  long  and  wearing  rehearsal  to-mor- 
row." 

"  I  don't  understand  you.  Governor,"  said  Ralph,  using 
the  old  stage  word  for  the  Manager  as  he  generally  did 
now  to  Macneilhe,  and  somehow  conveying  by  it  Just  the 
reverence  and  affection  which  he  felt  for  the  Scotsman. 

"  I  have  an  unfair  advantage  over  you,"  said  Macneil- 
he smiling.  "  I  have  heard  a  great  deal  about  Miss  Ever- 
eld  Ewart  and  know  that  she  is  hkely  to  distract  you  from 
your  labours." 

"  You  have  heard  of  her?    From  whom?  " 

"  From  you  yourself,  to  be  sure,  in  the  feverish  nights 
you  had  at  Callander.  I  have  long  been  wishing  for  the 
opportunity  of  quoting  Mrs.  Siddons  to  you,  '  Study, 
study,  study,  and  don't  marry  until  you  are  thirty.' " 

'*  Well  we  can't  even  be  engaged  yet,"  said  Ralph;  but 
we  understand  each  other  and  that  is  something.  To- 
morrow you  must  see  her." 

"  I  will  devote  myself  to  her  entirely,"  said  Macneilhe 
with  a  mirthful  twinkle  in  his  grey  eyes.  "  And  you  in  the 
meantime  can  bo  profitably  improving  your  Irish  accent 
with  Mr3.  llcrr-ford  with  a  view  to  Sir  Lucius  O'Trigger. 
Your  brogue  doesn't  quite  satisfy  me  yot." 


CHAPTER  XXI 

"  So,  from  her  skj'-like  spirit,  gentleness 

Dropt  ever  like  a  sun-lit  fall  of  rain, 
And  his  beneath  drank  in  the  bright  caress 

As  thirstily  as  would  a  parched  plain. 
That  long"  hath  watched  the  showers  of  sloping  grey 

For  ever,  ever,  falling  far  away." — Lowell. 

After  Ralph  had  left,  a  more  sombre  hue  stole  over 
Evereld's  glowing  sky.  She  began  to  think  a  little  of  the 
future,  of  the  countless  partings  in  store  for  them,  and  the 
more  she  thought  the  more  silent  and  grave  she  became. 

"  You  look  tired,  my  dear,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford  as  they 
walked  back  from  church.  "  Come  in  with  me  and  rest. 
The  others  have  set  their  hearts  on  a  stroll  by  the  sea, 
but  you  had  a  long  walk  this  afternoon." 

"  Yes,"  said  Evereld,  sitting  down  beside  her  hostess 
near  the  open  window  and  looking  out  into  the  calm  sum- 
mer evening.  "  I  wanted  to  tell  you  about  our  walk. 
And  if  ever  you  have  time  Ralph  would  so  much  like  to 
talk  to  you  too." 

The  words  were  said  with  an  effort  and  Mrs.  Hereford 
glanced  at  the  sweet  girlish  face  with  its  downcast  eyes 
and  understood  in  a  moment  what  was  coming. 

"  You  two  are  very  old  friends,"  she  said.  "  Bride  told 
me  that  you  had  been  brought  up  together  and  that  a 
very  nice  German  lady  had  done  a  great  deal  for  you." 

"  Yes,"  said  Evereld,  falling  naturally  into  all  the  old 
memories.  "I  don't  know  what  we  should  have  doiio 
without  her.  You  see  the  Mactavishs  never  really  cared 
for  us.  But  she  cared,  and  dear  old  Bridget  and  Geraghty 
the  butler;  and  Ralph  was  just  like  my  brother  until  the 
day  Sir  Matthew  turned  him  out  of  the  house.  He  failed 
you  know  in  the  exam,  for  the  Indian  Civil,  and  they  had 
a  quarrel  and  Ralph  had  to  go.    It  was  only  in  that  dread- 


2i6  WAYFARING   MEN 

ful  time  after  he  had  gone  that  I  understood  how  I  cared 
for  him." 

"  And  had  you  not  met  him  at  all  since  then?  "  asked 
Mrs.  Hereford. 

"  Yes,  we  met  once  by  accident  in  the  Christmas  holi- 
days and  then  I  thought,  I  fancied,  that  he  cared  a  little. 
But  he  said  nothing  till  to-day,  and  now  we  understand 
each  other,  only  Ralph  will  not  let  me  bind  myself  in  any 
way;  he  had  not  meant  to  speak  yet  at  all,  he  said,  but  oh, 
I  am  so  glad  he  didn't  wait." 

Mrs.  Hereford  took  the  girl's  hand  in  hers  and  stroked 
it  silently.  Her  thoughts  had  flown  back  to  a  day  in  her 
own  life  when  just  such  an  understanding  had  been  ar- 
rived at,  she  had  been  about  the  same  age  as  Evereld,  and 
looking  back  now  she  felt  sad  as  she  realised  how  much 
inevitable  pain  and  suspense  lay  before  this  girl,  what 
dire  possibilities  of  misunderstanding,  what  weary  hours 
of  separation. 

"  That  is  just  what  I  should  have  said,"  she  answered 
after  that  brief  pause.  "  But  now,  understanding  all  it 
involves,  I  confess  I  don't  want  Molhe  and  Bride  to  be  in  a 
hurry  to  follow  your  example.  I  want  them  to  have  five 
or  six  years  of  free  happy  girlhood  before  all  the  deeper 
joys  and  cares  begin.  Of  course  we  can't  choose,  and  for 
you  and  Mr.  Denmead,  who  have  no  real  home,  no  near 
relations,  very  likely  it  is  the  best  and  happiest  way.  I 
am  glad  you  told  me  about  it,  and  you  must  promise  if 
ever  you  need  anyone  to  help  you,  to  come  to  me.  I  sup- 
pose you  can  hardly  make  a  confidant  of  Lady  Mac- 
tavish?" 

"  Xo,"  said  Evereld,  half  laughing,  half  crying.  "  They 
are  all  so  horrid  about  Ralph.  When  I  am  one  and  twenty 
and  we  can  really  be  engaged  of  course  they  must  all 
know,  but  to  tell  them  this  could  do  no  good  and  might 
do  great  harm." 

"  Sir  Matthew  did  not  insist  then  on  your  altogether 
breaking  with  your  friend  when  he  was  sent  away?" 


WAYFARING  MEN  217 

"  No,"  said  EverelJ, '"  I  don't  think  anyone  troubled  to 
think  about  it  until  last  Christmas.  Then  when  I  met 
him  and  told  Sir  Matthew  about  it,  he  did  say  something 
of  the  sort,  but  I  told  him  1  couldn't  leave  off  being 
Kalph's  friend,  and  he  was  very  kind  and  did  not  forbid 
my  writing  to  him  in  the  holidays.  If  Ralph  succeeds  on 
the  stage  I  believe  Sir  Matthew  will  be  rather  proud  of 
him  after  all.  He  does  so  hke  people  who  succeed.  I  sup- 
pose we  may  still  write  to  each  other  now  and  then." 

"  Oh,  I  think  as  long  as  there  is  nothing  underhand 
about  it  you  may  continue  to  write,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford, 
"  You  will  write  as  friends,  not  as  lovers;  you  must  deny 
yourselves  that  luxury  until  you  come  of  age.  I  am  not 
preaching  what  I  haven't  practised,  dear,  for  we  had 
four  years  of  that  sort  of  thing  before  I  was  actually  en- 
ffagred.  There  are  great  drawbacks  but  I  think  some  ad- 
vantages." 

"  Surely  man^'  advantages,"  said  Evereld.  "  And  I  am 
much  more  alone  in  the  world  than  you  were.  You  had 
brothers  and  sisters." 

"  Yes,  and  a  profession  which  was  very  absorbing,"  said 
Mrs.  Hereford,  suppressing  a  sigh.  "  Oh,  I  do  think  it  is 
a  very  great  gain  for  you,  only  I  want  you  to  realise  that 
it  is  the  sort  of  life  that  needs  no  end  of  patience  and 
courage  and  strength.  There  will  be  days  when  all  will 
not  be  so  bright  as  you  fancy.  But  I  won't  croak  any  more. 
You  are  likely  to  be  much  better  at  waiting  than  I  was, 
for  impulsiveness  is  the  bane  of  all  Irish  folk." 

"  And  you  wall  talk  to  Ealph?  "  pleaded  Evereld,  know- 
ing how  much  he  would  value  the  sympathy  and  counsel 
of  such  a  woman,  and  secretly  longing  that  Mrs.  Hereford 
should  know  him  and  appreciate  him  better. 

"  Yes,  to  be  sure,"  said  her  hostess,  with  the  smile  that 
had  won  so  many  hearts.  "  We  will  collogue  together 
after  breakfast." 

She  was  true  to  her  promise  and  w^hile  Macneillie  was 
amusing  even,'one  with  stories  of  various  contretemps  of 


2i8  ly  AY  FARING  MEN 

stage  life,  she  contrived  to  carr}'  off  Ealph  to  see  the  in- 
valided patriot;  after  which  they  had  a  cosy  little  talk  in 
the  drawing-room  with  no  one  but  Baby  Donal,  a  sturdy 
little  man  of  three,  to  keep  them  company. 

"  Evereld  has  told  me  about  yesterday  afternoon,"  said 
Mrs.  Hereford,  who  was  quite  well  aware  that  she  must 
plunge  boldly  into  the  very  heart  of  the  matter  and  not 
wait  for  him  to  beat  about  the  bush. 

"  I  should  never  have  spoken  so  soon  if  it  had  not  been 
for  the  thought  of  her  Swiss  tour  with  that  knave  and  his 
solicitor,"  said  Ealph  hotly.  "  Forgive  me  for  the  ex- 
pression, but  it  is  not  too  strong  for  him." 

Mrs.  Hereford  laughed  a  little. 

"  You  needn't  measure  your  words  so  carefully;  a  Kelt 
is  accustomed  to  much  more  fiery  language  than  that. 
And  you  really  think  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  a  knave?  I 
confess  he  is  a  man  I  intuitively  dislike,  but  I  thought  he 
was  a  great  philanthropist  and  very  much  respected." 

"  So  he  is,"  said  Ealph,  his  face  hardening,  "  but  some 
day  the  world  will  find  him  out.  Some  day  when  he  has 
ruined  and  murdered  others  as  he  ruined  and  murdered 
my  father.  What  a  mistake  it  is  only  to  hang  people  who 
are  taken  red-handed!  They  should  rather  hang  the 
speculators  whose  victims  may  be  reckoned  by  hundreds. 
There  are  far  more  cruel  ways  of  murdering  people  than 
by  poison,  or  knives,  or  guns." 

She  had  watched  him  closely  as  he  spoke  and  saw  that 
his  wratli  and  indignation  were  genuine  and  deep.  A 
great  pity  filled  her  heart,  and  she  understood  how  in- 
tolerable it  must  seem  to  Ealph  that  the  girl  he  loved 
should  still  be  in  the  power  of  this  despicable  sham  phi- 
lanthropist. 

"  I  think  you  were  quite  right  to  speak  to  Evereld," 
she  said  warmly.  "  And  now  that  you  have  spoken,  the 
worst  of  your  anxiety  ought  to  be  over.  The  knowledge 
that  you  belong  to  each  other  will  be  strength  to  both  of 
you." 


IV  AY  FA  RING  MEN  219 

All  the  bitterness  died  out  of  his  face  at  her  words, 
leaving  it  once  more  frank  and  boyish,  and  ingenuous  as 
it  was  meant  to  be.  The  rasping  sense  of  injustice  had 
done  some  damage  to  his  character,  but  the  goodness  of 
Macneillie  and  the  gift  of  Evereld's  love  had  already  done 
much  to  obliterate  the  traces  of  the  evil  influence.  His 
heart  went  out  now  to  the  brave  noble-minded  woman 
who  so  readily  gave  him  her  thought  and  sympathy. 

"  Evereld  told  me  you  would  understand,"  he  said 
gratefully,  "  I  don't  think  I  could  have  kept  silent,  but 
of  course  evil-minded  people  are  sure  to  say  that  it  is  only 
her  fortune  I  want." 

"  Evil  be  to  him  that  evil  tliinks,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford. 
"  No  one  who  had  talked  with  you  for  half  an  hour  even 
could  believe  you  a  fortune  hunter.  And  when  you  have 
lived  as  many  years  as  I  have  done  in  public  life,  you  will 
learn  to  trouble  yourself  very  little  indeed  as  to  what  peo- 
ple say.  We  shall  never  be  true  to  ourselves,  or  of  mucli 
use  to  any  good  cause,  till  the  fear  of  public  opinion  has 
died  in  us." 

"  Does  living  in  public  life  teach  one  that?  I  should 
have  thought  it  would  have  taught  one  to  howl  with  the 
wolves,  to  be  always  on  the  look-out  for  ways  of  pleasing 
the  public  and  stroking  people  the  right  way,  to  dread 
nothing  so  much  as  alienating  or  offending  your  audi- 
ence," 

"  Many  people  would  agree  with  that  view,  but  I  be- 
lieve it  is  false  for  all  that.  Why  meddle  with  what  does 
not  concern  you?  Your  work  is  to  live  your  own  life,  to 
be  just  and  independent,  to  be  true  to  your  own  con- 
science, and  to  be  a  hard-working  actor.  You  have  noth- 
ing to  do  with  the  result  on  other  people,  you  can  never 
tell  what  it  may  be;  and  even  if  you  pare  down  your  ac- 
tions till  you  fancy  they  will  please  everyone  you  will  end 
by  forfeiting  the  esteem  of  all.  It's  like  the  old  fable  of 
the  man  who  first  rode  his  ass  to  market  and  finally 
carried  it." 


220  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

"  Certainly  Macneillie's  life  is  ruled  in  the  way  you  ap- 
prove," said  Kalph  thoughtfully.  "  There  never  was  a 
manager  who  so  sturdily  refused  to  bow  down  to  the  pub- 
lic. He  will  not  humour  the  depraved  taste  for  morbid 
and  dubious  plays  which  has  taken  possession  of  the  coun- 
try of  late,  but  insists  on  giving  only  what  is  really  good. 
The  result,  however,  is  that  while  a  manager  who  runs  one 
of  these  risky  modern  plays  makes  a  fortune,  Macneillia 
merely  earns  a  competence." 

"  That  may  be,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford,  "  but  the  result 
also  is  that  the  one  Manager  is  a  curse  to  his  country  and 
the  other  a  Godsend.  Your  habit  of  mind  isn't  so  com- 
mercial that  you  measure  success  by  the  solid  gold  it 
brings  in." 

"  I  hope  not,"  said  Ealph  laughing.  "  But  to  one  who 
knows  how  hard  and  wearing  and  anxious  the  life  of  such 
a  man  is  bound  to  be,  want  of  great  visible  success  seems 
rather  rough.  However,  to  return  to  the  point  we  started 
from,  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  know  that  you  don't  think  I 
was  wrong  to  speak  to  Evereld  yesterday.  And  a  greater 
comfort  still  to  know  that  she  has  von  for  a  friend;  one 
never  feels  safe  somehow  with  a  man  like  Sir  Matthew 
Mactavish,  but  if  she  may  turn  to  you  in  any  difficulty  I 
shall  not  worry  half  so  much." 

"  I  will  promise  you  to  be  to  her  just  what  I  would  try 
to  be  to  one  of  my  own  sisters,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford. 
"  And  you,  too,  must  promise  to  treat  us  all  as  friends. 
Come  in  whenever  you  like,  this  week;  you  must  make 
the  most  of  your  chance  of  seeing  Evereld." 

Macneillie  in  the  meantime  had  been  learning  to  know 
Ralph's  future  wife.  He  had  been  a  little  surprised  at 
first  to  find  that  she  was  a  decidedly  reserved  girl,  not 
strikingly  pretty,  rather  short,  and  wholly  unlike  the 
being  he  would  have  expected  Ralph  to  fall  in  love  with. 
This  was,  however,  merely  his  first  impression,  he  had 
not  been  two  minutes  in  the  room  with  her  before  be  ob- 


WAYFARING  MEN  221 

served  how  well  her  head  was  set  on  her  shoulders;  how 
in  spite  of  her  want  of  height  there  was  that  indescribable 
touch  of  dignity  in  her  carriage  which  he  had  vainly  tried 
to  impart  to  many  a  novice  on  the  stage.  Then  she  spoke 
to  him  during  a  pause  in  the  general  talk,  most  of  her  talk- 
ing he  discovered  was  done  to  fill  up  gaps,  and  when  she 
spoke  a  sort  of  transformation  scene  took  place.  Her 
face  suddenly  became  lovely,  the  china-blue  eyes  seemed 
to  radiate  light  and  sweetness,  the  colour  deepened  in  the 
softly-rounded  cheeks  and  the  most  charming  dimplu 
made  itself  seen. 

"  We  ai'c  all  so  much  looking  forward  to  '  The  Winter's 
Tale  '  to  night,"  she  said. 

"You  have  not  seen  Ealph  act  before?"  asked  Mac- 
neillie,  knowing  quite  well  what  the  answer  would  be  but 
wishing  for  another  variety  of  the  transformation  scene. 

The  blue  eyes  seemed  to  deepen  in  colour  and  an  exqui- 
site tenderness  softened  the  whole  face. 

"  Never  on  the  stage,"  she  said.  "  Of  course  I  have 
seen  him  just  as  an  amateur.  Do  you  think  he  is  getting 
on  well?  " 

Now  this  last  question  was  one  to  enthrall  the  heart  of 
any  Manager.  Actually  this  girl  did  not  leap  to  the  con- 
clusion that  her  lover  was  by  nature  a  full-fledged  actor, 
but  asked  if  he  was  getting  on. 

"  She  is  the  most  sensible  little  woman  I  ever  came 
•across,"  thought  Macneillie  to  himself.  "  In  such  a  case 
even  Mrs.  Siddons  might  have  qualified  her  advice  as  to 
marriage." 

By  and  bye  Evereld  found  herself  keeping  guard  over 
Baby  Donal  in  the  drawing-room  and  talking  to  Ralph, 
while  Macneillie  and  Max  Hereford  adjourned  to  the 
smoking-room.  The  two  lovers  were  serenely  happy  and 
saw  the  future  opening  before  them  in  all  the  gorgeous 
hues  of  dawn.  But  Macneillie  received  a  stab  from  his 
unconscious  companion  which  was  destined  to  rankle  in 


222  WAYFARING  MEN 

his  heart.  They  had  been  speaking  of  Monkton  Verney 
and  not  unnaturally  Max  Hereford,  knowing  that  Chris- 
tine Greville  was  a  friend  but  knowing  nothing  of  the 
true  state  of  affairs,  referred  to  her  case. 

"  I  only  hope  she  will  be  able  to  get  her  divorce,"  he 
said  casually,  "  but  of  course  there  is  a  doubt." 

"A  doubt?"  said  Macneillie  frowning.  "Why  Sir 
Roderick  never  attempted  to  deny  his  guilt." 

"  Oh,  yes,  there  is  no  doubt  as  to  his  guilt,  and  had  she 
been  married  in  Scotland  all  would  have  been  well,  for 
Scotland  has  one  and  the  same  law  for  men  and  women. 
Unluckily  she  was  married  in  England." 

"  I  don't  understand  you.  I  know  little  of  the  law," 
said  Macneillie,  "  but  certainly  in  my  country  there  would 
be  no  difficulty  when  it  was  a  clear  case  of  the  breach  of 
the  seventh  commandment." 

"  There  would  be  no  difficulty  in  England  for  a  man," 
said  Max  Hereford,  "  but  a  woman  cannot  get  a  divorce 
here  unless  she  can  prove  cruelty  as  well  as  adultery  on  the 
part  of  her  husband.  It  is  only  one  of  the  instances  of  our 
scandalous  habit  of  setting  up  different  standards  of 
morality  for  men  and  women." 

"  How  much  longer  are  the  English  going  to  put  up 
with  such  a  grave  injustice?  "  said  Macneillie. 

"  Not  long,  I  fancy,  when  once  they  realise  it.  But  at 
present  half  of  them  are  ignorant  of  the  true  state  of 
things,  while  the  evil-minded  are  of  course  unwilling  to 
rob  themselves  of  what  they  regard  as  a  prerogative.  The 
law  as  it  stands  is  not  only  unjust  to  women  but  to  all 
moral  men.  How  easily  one  can  picture  a  case  where,  be- 
cause divorce  was  not  granted,  it  was  impossible  for  the 
innocent  woman  to  marry  a  man  who  loved  her." 

Macneillie  assented  quietly.  No  one  could  have  guessed 
how  terribly  this  suggestion  moved  him,  how  clearly  he 
saw  in  his  own  mind  the  picture  of  an  innocent  woman 
and  an  upright  law-abiding  man  with  their  lives  wrecked 
by  this  double-standard  of  morality. 


WAYFARING  MEN  2:3 

"  I  think,"  he  said  presently,  "  that  at  any  rate  in  Miss 
Greville's  case  there  will  be  little  difficulty  in  proving  Sir 
Koderick's  cruelty." 

"  I  hope  it  may  be  so,"  said  Max  Hereford,  "  but  I  un- 
derstand from  her  solicitor  that  different  views  prevail 
as  to  what  does  exactly  constitute  legal  cruelty.  The  case 
is  not  likely  to  come  on  yet  for  many  months  and  the  sus- 
pense must  be  terribly  trj'ing  for  her,  far  worse  of  course 
than  for  anyone  in  private  life," 

"  Her  decision  to  stay  at  Monkton  Verney  till  the  case 
is  over  seems  to  me  wise,"  said  Macneillie.  "  Your  Cave 
of  Adullam  is  a  great  Godsend.  I  wonder  what  made  you 
think  of  such  a  plan." 

"  Oh,  the  '  cave  '  was  my  wife's  doing,"  said  Max  Here- 
ford. "  Miss  Claremont  is  delighted  to  have  her  old 
friend  Miss  Greville  there,  and  since  Barry  Sterne  has 
undertaken  the  entire  management  of  her  theatre  there 
is  no  need  for  her  to  be  troubled  in  any  way  about  outside 
things.  Why  Flo,  Kittie,"  he  exclaimed  breaking  off  as 
two  pretty  little  girls  darted  into  the  room,  their  sun- 
burnt faces  aglow  with  eagerness. 

"  Daddy,  there's  a  man  with  the  beautifullest  voice  you 
ever  heard  and  we  want  sixpence  for  him,"  they  cried  in 
a  breath,  "  do  come  and  hear  him," 

And  by  sheer  force  of  determination  the  two  small 
elves  dragged  their  father  from  the  depths  of  his  easy 
chair. 

"  The  tyranny  of  daughters  is  a  thing  you  have  yet  to 
learn,  Mr.  Macneillie,"  he  said  with  a  smile,  as  with  one 
elf  on  his  shoulder  and  the  other  impetuously  pulling  at 
his  hand  he  sauntered  out  to  the  front  door. 

'Macneillie  flung  the  end  of  his  cigarette  into  the  grate 
and  began  to  pace  the  room  restlessly.  The  words  so  un- 
consciously spoken  seemed  to  put  the  finishing  touch  to 
his  pain,  the  fatherly  pride  of  his  companion's  face 
haunted  him  and  filled  him  with  envy,  and  over  and  over 


224  WAYFARING  MEN 

in  his  mind  he  revolved  the  torturing  doubt  which  had 
first  been  suggested  to  liim  that  morning.  Would  the 
law  free  Christine? 

Meanwhile  through  the  open  door  there  was  wafted  to 
him  only  too  distinctly  the  familiar  song  of  the  street 
tenor: 

"Love  once  again:  Meet  me  once  again: 
Old  love  is  waking,  shall  it  wake  in  vain?  " 

Such  a  life  as  Macneillie's  may  have  two  very  different 
effects  on  the  man  called  upon  to  endure  it.  Either  it  will 
harden  and  embitter  him,  and  he  will  gradually  become 
a  mere  cynical  observer  of  others;  or  it  will  deepen  and 
widen  his  whole  character,  and  he  will  become  more  and 
more  tender  towards  the  lives  of  other  people.  Lynx-eyed 
to  detect  and  prompt  to  check  as  far  as  possible  all  that 
he  deemed  undesirable  or  in  the  least  risky  among  the 
members  of  his  company,  he  was  nevertheless  always 
kind-hearted  with  regard  to  any  genuine  attachment.  He 
knew  Ralph  now  very  intimately  and  was  quite  well  aware 
tliat  his  feeling  for  Evereld  was  no  mere  passing  fancy. 
In  his  own  grievous  anxiety  and  suspense  there  was  com- 
fort in  throwing  himself  into  the  affairs  of  his  protege,  and 
a  growing  desire  to  see  this  love  story  happily  worked  out 
took  possession  of  him.  He  had,  moreover,  taken  a  great 
fancy  to  Evereld,  and  began  now  to  consider  things  from 
her  point  of  view,  trying  to  picture  to  himself  just  how 
she  would  probably  feel  with  regard  to  Ralph's  profession. 
She  had  never  seen  him  on  the  stage,  had  never  in  fact 
seen  him  act  at  all  since  the  time  she  had  been  of  an  age 
to  understand  what  love  meant.  He  wondered  how  the 
play  that  night  would  strike  her.  Would  Florizel's  love- 
making  possibly  jar  a  little  upon  her  as  she  sat  there 
watching  it  from  her  place  in  the  stalls?  Or  would  that 
gracious  womanly  wisdom  which  he  had  noticed  in  her 
save  her  from  all  petty  jealousies,  all  thoughts  unworthy 


WAYFARING  MEN  225 

of  a  great  art?  lie  thought  it  would.  Still  a  girl  of  nine- 
teen in  love  with  a  man  like  Kalph  Denniead  might  per- 
chance be  excused  if  she  were  not  entirely  able  to  forget 
herself  and  her  own  story  in  the  contemplation  of  Shak- 
spere's  play. 

"  I  know  what  I  will  do,"  he  thought  to  himself.  "  ISTo 
one  who  understands  the  training,  the  learning,  the  drill- 
ing, the  matter  of  fact  element  of  sheer  hard  work  that 
makes  up  the  life  of  an  actor  is  likely  to  think  stage  love- 
making  a  dangerous  pastime.  I  will  persuade  Mrs.  Here- 
ford to  bring  her  this  morning  to  rehearsal." 


CHAPTER  XXIT 

"  If  art  be  devotod  to  thr  increase  of  men's  happiness,  to 
the  redemption  of  the  oppressed,  or  enlarpfement  of  our 
sympathies  with  each  other,  or  to  such  presentment  of  new 
and  old  truth  about  ourselves  and  our  relation  to  the  world 
as  may  ennoble  and  fortify  us  in  our  sojourn  here,  or  imme- 
diately, as  with  Dante,  to  the  glory  of  God.  it  will  be  also 
great  art." — "  Appreciations."  Walter  Pater. 

Mrs.  Heeeford  who  had  readily  divined  Macneillie's 
kindly  intention  in  suggesting  that  they  should  see  at  any 
rate  part  of  the  rehearsal,  wondered  to  herself  whether 
his  plan  had  been  wise  when  about  noon  she  found  her- 
self with  Evereld  and  Bride  in  the  dim  dreariness  of  the 
theatre,  which  was  quite  empty  save  for  a  couple  of  char- 
women who  were  scrubbing  the  floor  of  the  pit.  A  civil 
attendant  took  them  to  the  second  row  of  the  stalls  where 
they  had  of  course  an  excellent  view  of  that  inexpressibly 
dingy  and  forlorn  looking  place — a  stage  without  scenery. 

Macneillie  wearing  a  Glengarry  cap  was  sitting  on  a 
chair  with  his  back  to  them  directing  the  dialogue  and 
criticising  in  his  quiet  voice  the  shortcomings  of  Paulina 
and  Emilia  in  the  prison  scene.  At  the  back  of  the  stage, 
some  pacing  to  and  fro,  some  sitting  on  the  floor,  were 
the  rest  of  the  company  chatting  comfortably  together  in 
low  tones. 

"  Do  you  think  they  are  all  Quakers?  "  observed  Bride 
naughtily,  "  how  queer  it  docs  look  to  see  men  indoors 
with  their  hats  on,  every  variety  too,  bowlers,  deerstalkers, 
sailors,  and  caps." 

"  Perhaps  it's  draughty  on  the  stage,"  said  Evereld.  "  I 
believe  that  tall  dark  girl  must  be  Miss  Myra  Kay.  She 
was  only  married  last  month.  See  Ralph  is  talking  to  her, 
that  pretty  girl  in  the  blue  and  white  blouse.  She  is  Her- 
mione  1  think." 


WAYFARING  MEN  227 

"  Don't  distract  me,"  said  Bride.  "  Paulina  is  handling 
the  stage  baby  very  well,  but  it's  too  small  a  doll,  why  Flo 
who  was  the  tiniest  of  babies  was  more  respectable  than 
that.  Ah,  Antigonous  lifts  it  from  the  floor.  My  good 
man  you'll  break  the  child's  neck  if  you  don't  support  its 
head  better.  Talk  about  kites  and  ravens  being  instructed 
to  nurse  it,  why  he  wants  instruction  himself.  It's  as  bad 
as  seeing  a  young  curate  at  a  christening." 

Evereld  was  obliged  to  laugh  a  little,  and  her  eyes  were 
still  bright  and  mirthful  when  suddenly  she  perceived 
Ralph  emerging  through  a  side  door  and  approaching 
them. 

"  I  thought  you  might  like  a  book  to  follow  with,"  he 
said.  "  Are  you  getting  thoroughly  dis-illusioncd?  And 
shall  you  never  be  able  to  enjoy  seeing  a  play  again,  now 
that  you  know  how  it's  done?  " 

"  Indeed  I  shall  enjoy  it  much  more,"  she  said.  "  Oh 
there  is  still  a  good  deal  I  see,  before  you  come  in.  Who 
is  your  Perdita?  " 

"  The  fair-haired  girl  in  blue  serge,  Miss  Eva  Carton. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  that  Major  Carton  who  was  killed 
in  the  Soudan." 

"  I  remember  you  had  him  in  your  gallery  of  heroes. 
Is  she  a  nice  girl?  " 

"  Very,  I  think,  but  I  have  not  seen  much  of  her  yet. 
They  were  left  badly  off  and  she  has  taken  to  the  stage 
to  help  her  mother.  She  has  only  just  joined  this  com- 
pany, so  we  arc  in  the  same  box." 

After  this  Evereld  watched  with  keen  interest  the  pro- 
gress of  the  play.  It  seemed  to  her  that  Macneillie  was  al- 
most an  ideal  instructor.  His  patience  was  marvellous 
and  his  criticism  though  sometimes  keen  was  always 
kindly.  "When  the  sheep-shearing  scene  began  and  Flori- 
zel  and  Perdita  with  no  helpful  accessories  had  to  go 
through  their  love-making,  while  the  working  of  a  sew- 
ing-machine and  the  hammering  of  carpenters  and  the 


228  WAYFARING  MEN 

scrubbing  of  the  charwomen  could  be  plainly  heard, 
Evereld  realised  more  than  she  had  ever  done  before 
the  prosaic  nature  of  some  aspects  of  an  actor's  life. 
Macneillie  was  as  fidgetty  as  any  dancing  master  about 
the  precise  way  in  which  his  arm  should  encircle  her  waist. 
Degville  himself  could  not  have  laid  more  stress  on  the 
importance  of  every  attitude,  and  when  it  came  to  the 
part  where  Florizel  claimed  Perdita  as  his  bride  in  the 
presence  of  the  disguised  Polixenes  he  Avas  promptly 
pulled  up  in  the  utterance  of  the  words:  "  I  take  thy 
hand,  this  hand,  as  soft  as  dove's  down  and  as  white  as  it." 

"  Don't  take  her  hand  as  if  you  were  taking  a  jam  tart 
at  a  confectioner's,"  exclaimed  Macneillie. 

And  over  and  over  again  that  particular  bit  had  to  be 
rehearsed  until  it  was  precisely  to  the  Manager's  mind. 
Finally  a  diversion  was  made  by  the  arrival,  long  after  the 
time  when  they  should  have  put  in  an  appearance,  of  a 
few  members  of  the  orchestra.  In  a  leisurely  way,  as 
though  they  were  conferring  a  great  favour  on  the  actors, 
they  began  to  tune  up,  the  pretty  dance  of  shepherds  and 
shepherdesses  was  rehearsed,  and  Bride  and  Evereld  found 
themselves  longing  to  join  in  it. 

"  I  really  wonder,"  said  Bride  as  they  walked  home, 
"  that  you  dare  to  take  me  to  such  a  beguiling  place, 
Doreen.    Don't  you  expect  me  to  be  stage-struck?  " 

"  There  might  be  some  danger  if  you  only  saw  the  per- 
formances," said  Mrs.  Hereford  laughing,  "  but  I  doubt 
if  vou  would  stand  manv  rehearsals.  You  would  cer- 
tainly  be  fined  every  day  for  unpunctuality." 

"  It  must  be  a  weary  grind,"  said  Bride  yawning. 
"  One  would  have  to  love  one's  art  very  absorbingly  to  be 
able  to  endure  such  endless  repetition.  I  suppose  that  is 
the  difference  between  an  artist  and  an  ordinary  mortal. 
An  artist  never  grudges  trouble,  the  dullest  little  touches 
here  and  there  all  have  an  interest  for  him." 

"  Certainly,  if  he  is  worth  his  salt,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford. 


WAYFARING  MEN  3=9 

"  That's  what  Flo  will  have  to  learn  if  she  is  to  develop 
as  I  hope  into  a  singer." 

"  Well,"  said  Bride  good-humoiiredly,  "  I  have  only 
just  enough  energy  for  ordinary  life,  so  I  will  stick  to 
being  an  ordinary  mortal.  And  you  keep  me  compan)^ 
Evereld.  We  will  make  the  appreciative  audiences  for 
the  others.  What  is  the  fun  of  acting  or  singing  if  there 
is  no  one  to  applaud." 

In  fact  she  applauded  much  more  heartily  than  Evereld 
that  evening.  Evereld's  appreciation  was  pretty  plainly 
visible  in  her  glowing  face  and  bright  eyes,  but  she  left 
the  hand-clapping  to  her  companion,  and  sat  in  a  sort  of 
happy  dream  watching  the  play  contentedly  with  the  bliss- 
ful consciousness  that  every  minute  the  time  drew  nearer 
when  Ralph  would  make  his  appearance. 

After  the  heavier  portions  of  "  The  Winter's  Tale,"  the 
pastoral  scenes  always  come  as  a  relief,  and  Halph  could 
hardly  have  had  a  more  taking  part.  Evereld  who  at  re- 
hearsal had  never  been  able  to  watch  him  except  as  her 
friend  and  lover  was  now  entirely  absorbed  by  the  play. 
He  was  Florizel  to  her  and  Florizel  only,  he  looked  the 
part  to  perfection,  and  there  was  a  sincerity  about  his 
acting  which  carried  all  before  it,  and  gave  great  promise 
for  his  future.  Macneillie  standing  at  the  wings  felt  more 
than  content  with  his  pupil. 

"  If  the  boy  can  do  as  well  as  this  at  one  and  twenty, 
he  ought  to  have  a  great  career  before  him,"  he  thought 
to  himself.  "  And  perhaps  like  Phelps  he  will  be  one  of 
those  who  will  owe  everything  to  an  early  and  a  happy 
marriage.  That  little  girl  is  one  of  a  thousand.  It  is  to 
be  hoped  that  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  will  not  step  in  to 
spoil  the  game." 

The  rest  of  the  week  passed  by  only  too  swiftly.  Al- 
most every  evening  they  went  to  the  theatre,  and  in  the 
afternoon  Ralph  would  often  join  them  at  tennis.  One 
dav  there  was  a  cricket  match  between  the  members  of 


a3o  IV AY  FARING  MEN 

the  company  and  a  local  eleven,  on  another  day  a  picnic 
to  a  ruined  castle  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  at  length  the 
doleful  day  arrived  when  the  parting  must  come. 

After  all  it  proved  to  be  the  elders  who  were  grave  and 
anxious  at  the  thought  of  the  unknown  future  which 
Halph  and  Evereld  went  forth  to  meet  so  confidently. 
Healthy  youth  is  seldom  troubled  with  forebodings, 
and  the  lovers  though  saddened  for  the  time  by  the 
coming  separation  could  not  but  reflect  how  much 
more  propitious  things  were  than  at  their  last  leave- 
taking. 

"  How  I  envied  little  Ivy  Grant  as  she  walked  along 
Queen  Anne's  Gate  with  you  that  Christmas  day,"  said 
Evereld  with  a  smile.  "  Where  shall  you  be  this  Christ- 
mas, Kalph?  " 

"  We  shall  be  in  Yorkshire,"  he  replied,  "  still  giving 
the  set  of  plays  you  have  seen  here.  What  a  good  thing 
it  is  for  me  that  you  can  take  such  an  interest  in  the  work. 
It  must  be  hard  on  an  actor  to  do  without  the  sympathy 
of  those  nearest  to  him.  Sometimes  one  docs  wish  that 
old  Mrs.  Macneillie  had  not  such  a  feeling  against  the 
stage.  His  life  is  hard  and  lonely  enough  without  having 
that  added  to  it.  Still  I  think  they  understand  each  other, 
and  it  is  good  to  see  her  pride  in  him." 

"  Does  she  never  see  him  act?  "  asked  Evereld. 

"  Never.  She  won't  set  foot  in  a  theatre;  she  is  not 
even  one  of  those  people  who  only  object  to  the  name  of 
the  thing,  and  will  see  a  play  at  the  Crystal  Palace  or  in  a 
Hall.    She's  too  sensible  to  take  that  view." 

"  Why  what  is  the  special  merit  of  a  '  Hall? ' "  asked 
Evereld  laughing. 

"  Goodness  only  knows.  I  often  wish  those  worthy  but 
illogical  folk  could  feel  the  discomforts  and  the  woeful 
plight  the  company  often  find  themselves  in  behind  the 
scenes,  with  perhaps  a  couple  of  dressing-rooms  for  the 
whole  lot  of  them,  and  no  possible  place  in  which  to  put 


WAVrARING  MEN  231 

their  clothes.  They  would  soon  realise  the  advantages  of 
proper  theatres." 

"  Have  you  seen  your  good  notice  in  the  Southboume 
Weekly  News?  "  said  Evereld,  glancing  at  the  paper  with 
loving  pride. 

"Yes.  It's  rather  decent,  isn't  it?  I  always  cut  out 
and  keep  press  notices  for  Mr.  Macneillie.  Sharing  his 
lodgings  there  are  a  good  many  small  things  of  that  sort 
one  can  do  for  him." 

"  Who  does  the  catering?  " 

"  Oh,  he  does  all  that.  He  is  a  first-rate  hand  at  market- 
ing, having  had  so  much  practice." 

*'  I  shall  have  to  come  to  him  for  lessons,  some  day," 
said  Evereld,  blushing  vividly  as  she  realised  what  the 
words  involved. 

Whereupon  Ealph  forgot  all  about  fortunes  and  guar- 
dians and  time  and  patience,  and  taking  her  in  his  arms 
kissed  her  passionately. 

That  was  their  real  parting,  or  rather  the  silent  pledge 
that  nothing  could  really  part  them.  Ealph  lingered  for 
some  little  time  afterwards  in  the  next  room  talking  with 
the  others,  and  as  usual  there  was  the  cheerful  Irish  babel 
of  many  voices,  for  no  one  thought  in  that  household  of 
talking  one  at  a  time.  Then  having  received  a  kindly 
invitation  from  Mrs.  Hereford  to  come  and  see  them  either 
in  London  or  at  Hollybrack,  he  took  his  departure,  and 
with  the  memory  of  Evereld's  love  to  cheer  him  on  his 
way,  rejoined  Macneillie's  company  at  the  station. 

"  That  is  a  case  I  suppose,"  said  Max  Hereford  finding 
himself  just  then  alone  with  his  wife. 

"  I  thought  you  would  guess  it,"  she  said  smiling. 

"  You  were  always  a  matchmaker  at  heart,  Doreen,"  he 
said  teasingly.  "  But  how  about  this  guardian  in  the 
background?  He  will  be  playing  the  Assyrian  and  com- 
ing down  on  you  like  the  wolf  on  the  fold." 

"  I  can't  help  it  if  he  does,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford,  laugh- 


23a  WAYFARING  MEN 

ter  lurking  in  her  eyes.  "  locally  and  truly  I  have  not 
been  match-making.  It's  ridiculous  for  Sir  Matthew  Mac- 
tavish  to  allow  his  ward  to  be  brought  up  for  six  years 
with  such  a  boy  as  that,  and  then  to  take  me  to  task  for 
allowing  the  two  old  friends  to  meet  in  a  rational  way. 
And  after  all  if  he  is  annoyed  I  believe  I  should  rather  like 
it,  for  you  know  Max  I  always  did  detest  that  man." 

"  Yes,  dear,  we  all  know  that  you  are  the  best  hater  in 
the  world,  and  I  know  that  you  are  the  best  lover,"  he  said 
stooping  to  kiss  her. 

"  I  don't  see  how  I  could  have  done  otherwise,"  she  said 
musingly.  "  Evidently  Mr.  Macneillie  sees  exactly  how 
things  are.  And  what  can  you  do  for  a  couple  of  home- 
less waifs  like  that  but  give  them  your  help  and  sympathy  ? 
A  girl  witli  no  mother  is  in  such  a  wretched  plight  as  soon 
as  her  love  troubles  begin.  Don't  I  know  exactly  how  my 
own  mistakes  and  miseries  came  from  that  very  cause? 
Tell  me  what  3'ou  really  think  of  Ralph  Denmead?  " 

"  I  like  him,"  said  Max  Hereford.  "  He  seems  an 
honest,  straight-forward,  clean-minded  fellow,  he  has 
plenty  of  humour,  too,  in  which  perhaps  Evereld  is  a 
trifle  lacking,  and  just  because  he  has  a  touch  of  the  Welsh 
fire  in  him  and  is  at  times  unreasonable  and  unpractical, 
as  all  Kelts  are " 

"  Now,  now,"  exclaimed  Jlrs.  Hereford  with  her  irre- 
sistible laugh.  "  No  dark  hints  about  Kelts,  we  all  know 
what  that  leads  to." 

"  I  was  going  to  remark,  if  you  won't  quite  throttle  me," 
he  continued  suavely,  "  that  marriages  between  Kelts  and 
Saxons,  though  barbarously  prohibited  by  the  oppressive 
laws  of  the  English  conquerors  when  they  annexed  Ire- 
land, always  turn  out  eminently  successful.  That  in  fact 
the  imion  of  hearts  is  the  thing  to  be  aimed  at." 

"  They  are  not  actually  betrothed  yet,  and  won't  be  un- 
til she  is  of  age,  and  until  he  has  made  his  way  a  little. 
Then  of  course  there  will  be  a  battle  royal  with  the  Mac- 


WAYFARING  MEN  233 

lavish,  but  he  will  have  no  authority  over  her,  and  you 
and  I,  Max,  will  stand  by  her.  She  shall  be  married  from 
Hollybrack  quietly,  and  they  will  be  able  to  live  very  com- 
fortably for,  according  to  Bride,  she  will  be  rich." 

"  I  only  hope  her  guardian  is  really  trustworthy,"  said 
Max  Hereford,  "  I  don't  altogether  like  what  I  heard  of 
him  the  other  day  from  old  Marriott.  But,  of  course, 
Marriott  is  one  of  those  steady  going  old-fashioned  solici- 
tors who  are  excessively  cautious,  and  it  would  be  almost 
impossible  for  him  to  approve  of  a  Company  Promoter 
like  Sir  Matthew.    He  may  be  all  right  enough." 

"  We  shall  see,"  said  Jlrs.  Plereford  with  an  expressive 
little  gesture  of  the  hands.  "  For  my  part  I  wouldn't 
trust  him  for  a  moment,  but  you  will  say  that  is  my  Irish 
imagination,  and  of  course  I  have  no  great  knowledge  of 
the  man." 

Bride  O'Eyan,  who  had  been  more  or  less  taken  up  with 
her  own  people  during  the  past  week,  had  guessed  nothing 
at  all  as  to  what  was  going  on.  The  two  friends  had  both 
hitherto  been  somewhat  young  for  their  age,  and  they  had 
never  been  the  sort  of  girls  given  to  premature  talk  as  to 
lovers  and  love-making.  Their  heroes  were  either  the 
patriots  of  the  past  or  the  great  leaders  of  the  present,  and 
their  school  life  had  been  too  full  of  work  and  well-orga- 
nised amusement  to  leave  much  time  for  desultory  dream- 
ing. Bride  had  of  course  heard  of  the  life  at  the  Mac- 
tavishs,  but  it  had  never  entered  her  head  that  Ealph 
Denmead  could  ever  be  anything  but  Evereld's  adopted 
brother. 

It  -was  not  until  he  had  actually  gone  that  the  truth 
began  to  dawn  upon  her.  She  saw  that  Evereld  was  mak- 
ing an  effort  at  cheerfulness,  that  her  face  when  in  repose 
had  a  quite  new  expression  of  wistfulness,  and  that  all  at 
once  she  had  grown  dreamy  and  absent. 

That  night,  when  the  mystic  hour  of  "  hair  brushing  " 
came  round,  she  could  hold  her  tongue  no  longer. 


234  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  I  wish,"  she  said  impetuously,  "  you  wouldn't  shut  me 
out  of  it  all.  1  know  quite  well  you  are  unhappy,  though 
you  will  play  the  ostrich  and  bury  your  head  in  the  sand  in 
that  English  way,  supposing  that  no  one  will  notice  you." 

Evereld  laughed  at  the  old  mixture  of  the  similes. 

"  I  never  heard  of  an  English  ostrich,"  she  said  merrily. 
"  If  there  ever  was  one  it  must  long  ago  have  become  ex- 
tinct like  the  Dodo." 

"  Ah,  you  laugh  now,"  said  Bride,  "  but  you  have 
looked  wretched  all  the  afternoon,  and  I  saw  you  crying 
in  church." 

Evereld  blushed  guiltily. 

"  It  was  very  stupid  of  me,  but  I  couldn't  help  remem- 
bering how  different  all  had  been  last  Sunday  evening." 

*'  When  Mr.  Denmead  was  here,"  said  Bride  boldly. 

Evereld  nodded. 

Bride  looked  straight  into  her  soft  blue  eyes. 

"  Well  I'm  sure  I  don't  wonder  he  lost  his  heart  to  you, 
but  all  the  same  I  wish  he  hadn't." 

"  We  are  not  engaged,  you  know,"  said  Evereld. 

"  Oh,  it's  just  as  bad  as  if  you  were,"  said  Bride  despon- 
dently. 

"As  bad?  What  an  odd  way  you  have  of  congratu- 
lating me." 

"  I  don't  congratulate  you.  I'm  very  sorry,"  said  Bride 
vigorously  brushing  her  dark  hair.  "  W'hy  should  he 
come  disturbing  us  just  when  our  life  is  beginning  and 
we  were  going  to  have  such  a  good  time.  You'll  never  be 
at  all  the  same  to  me  again.    It  will  be  as  the  poem  says: 

'One  and  one,  with  a  shadowy  third.'  " 

"  ISTonsense,"  said  Evereld.  "  It  has  made  me  care  for 
you  fifty  times  more  than  I  did,  Bride,  and  I  need  you 
now  more  than  ever.  Besides,  can't  you  see  how  different 
things  are  for  me.  You  have  your  home  with  your  sis- 
ters, and  the  children;  and  you  have  brothers  often  stay- 


WAYFARING  MEN  235 

ing  with  you,  and  you  are  all  sure  of  each  other  and  every- 
thing is  so  happy  that  I'm  sure  I  don't  know  how  you 
could  leave  it  all  just  yet.  But  I  have  no  real  home,  and 
the  only  one  of  the  Mactavishs  I  do  really  like  is  to  he 
married  in  November.  Can't  you  understand  how  beauti- 
ful it  is  to  really  belong  to  someone  at  last?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Bride.  "  It  was  selfish  of  me  to  think  first 
of  my  own  part  of  it.  And  after  all  perhaps  you  are  right, 
you  may  need  me  still.  Specially  when  the  Mactavishs 
are  horrid.    They  won't  like  your  engagement  a  bit." 

"  No,"  replied  Evereld  quietly.  "  That  is  very  certain. 
There  are  storms  ahead.  But  I  shall  know  where  to  turn 
to.  You  will  always  be  my  friend,  and  Mrs.  Hereford 
says  I  am  to  come  to  her  in  any  trouble." 

"  Of  course,  Doreen  mothers  everybody,  she  always  did, 
Michael  says,  even  when  she  was  quite  a  little  girl  herself." 

"  And  no  one  will  ever  be  such  a  friend  to  me  as  you, 
Bride.  You  and  Aimee  Magnay  and  I  will  always  keep 
up  with  each  other,  whatever  happens." 

"  Talking  of  Aimee  reminds  me  that  I  heard  from  her 
this  morning,"  said  Bride.  "  She  says  that  in  September 
they  are  all  going  to  Auvergne;  her  father  has  some  com- 
mission for  a  picture.  They  will  stay  at  Mabillon  all  the 
autumn  and  perhaps  even  for  Christmas.  Cousin  Es- 
perance  thinks  I  had  better  come  too  for  the  sake  of  per- 
fecting my  French,  but  I'm  not  sure  that  I  could  leave 
Dermot." 

"  Take  him  with  you,"  suggested  Evereld.  "  The  sun- 
shine and  the  warmth  down  there  would  exactly  suit 
him." 

"  Why,  I  never  thought  of  that.  It  would  be  a  splendid 
idea,  and  the  Magnays  are  so  kind-hoarted.  I  know  they 
have  lots  of  room,  too,  in  that  rambling  old  chateau. 
Don't  you  remember  the  little  picture  of  it  that  Aimee 
had  in  our  bedroom  at  school?  Come,  after  all  things 
are  not  so  dark.    You  will  always  be  my  friend  in  spite  of 


236  WAYFARING  MEN 

Mr.  Denmead,  and  perhaps  later  on  when  you  are  en- 
gaged there  will  be  a  regular  row  and  you  will  have  to 
come  to  us." 

"  You  look  as  if  you  quite  longed  for  the  row,"  said 
Evereld  smiling  wistfully.  "  I  wish  I  had  a  little  of  the 
love  of  fighting  which  you  Irish  people  seem  to  have  such 
stores  of.  How  would  you  face  an  angry  guardian  under 
the  circumstances,  I  wonder." 

"  I  should  listen  patiently  to  all  his  objections.  Then  I 
should  say,  '  Now  hear  my  side  of  the  case,'  and  if  ho 
wasn't  convinced  by  my  burning  eloquence  why  I  should 
inevitably  lose  my  temper  and  we  should  part  on  the  worst 
of  terms.  Oh,  I  should  love  to  have  a  quarrel  with  Sir 
Matthew  Mactavish.  It's  a  pity  we  can't  change  places 
just  for  that  time." 

"  Well,  don't  let  us  talk  about  it  till  it  comes,"  said 
Evereld  with  a  little  shiver.  "  When  I  am  quite  my  own 
mistress  perhaps  the  mere  fact  of  being  independent  will 
make  me  dislike  the  thought  of  the  discussion  less.  After 
all,  nothing  will  really  matter  when  we  are  engaged;  one 
will  be  too  busy  thinking  of  the  life  that  will  so  soon 
begin." 

They  were  interrupted  by  a  knock  at  the  door. 

"  I  want  that  naughty  little  sister  of  mine,"  said  Mrs. 
Hereford,  looking  in  with  a  smiling  face.  "  Mollie  de- 
clares there  is  no  getting  her  invalid  to  sleep  while  you 
two  chatterboxes  are  overhead." 

"  Evil  take  the  Coercion  Act  that  made  him  an  invalid," 
paid  Bride,  gathering  up  her  belongings  and  bidding  her 
friend  good-night. 

Evereld,  glancing  at  Mrs.  Hereford,  saw  for  the  first 
time  in  her  face  an  expression  which  startled  her.  A  look 
of  long  endured  pain,  of  heart-breaking  disappointment 
and  the  wearily  deferred  hope  which  makes  the  heart  sick, 
such  a  look  as  a  martyr  might  have  borne,  dying  in  the 
darkest  hour  which  heralded  the  sunrise  of  his  causa 


WAYFARING  MEN  237 

And  then  even  as  she  gazed  the  look  passed  and  there 
was  once  more  in  the  face  nothing  but  cheerful,  tender 
motherhness. 

"  Grood  night,  dear  Httle  woman/'  said  Mrs.  Hereford. 
"  Don't  he  awake  thinking  too  long.  It  is  a  shocking 
bad  habit." 

"  Oh,"  cried  Evereld,  clinging  with  girlish  devotion  to 
her  hostess.  "  I  do  so  hope  my  love  for  Ralph  will  not 
make  me  grow  narrow.  I  want  to  care  for  other  people 
and  for  outside  things  just  as  you  do." 

"  You  must  manage  much  better  than  I  did,  dear," 
said  Mrs.  Hereford,  "  perhaps  after  my  own  mistakes  I 
may  be  able  to  help  you." 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

"  He  spoke  of  beauty  :    that  the  dull 
Saw  no  divinity  in  grass, 
Life  in  dead  stones,  or  spirit  in  air  ; 
Then  looking  as  'twere  in  a  glass 
He  smooth'd  his  chin  and  sleek'd  his  hair 
And  said  the  earth  was  beautiful." 

Tennyson. 

The  last  week  at  Southbourne  proved  a  very  happy 
one  and  Evereld  went  back  to  London  feeling  as  though 
a  veil  had  been  lifted  from  before  her  eyes.  It  was  not 
only  that  love  had  revealed  his  face  to  her;  but  for  the 
first  time  since  her  childish  days  in  India  she  had  known 
what  life  could  mean  in  a  thoroughly  happy  family. 

The  Mactavishs  had  never  encouraged  her  in  making 
friends.  For  reasons  of  his  own  Sir  Matthew  had  never 
allowed  her  to  become  really  intimate  with  any  one  in 
town,  though  she  had  had  the  usual  round  of  children's 
parties  and  had  occasionally  been  allowed  to  give  a  chil- 
dren's dance  in  the  house  in  Queen  Anne's  Gate.  At 
school,  however,  close  friendships  had  naturally  been  made, 
and  the  permission  to  stay  with  Bride  O'Ryan  at  South- 
bourne  had  been  extorted  from  Sir  Matthew  rather  re- 
luctantly, and  chiefly  because  it  happened  to  be  a  little  in- 
convenient to  Lady  ^Mactavish  to  have  the  charge  of 
Evereld  until  they  left  for  Switzerland. 

It  so  happened  that  the  whole  course  of  the  girl's  life 
was  affected  by  the  mere  fact  that  Lady  Mactavish  and  her 
elder  daughter  had  accepted  an  invitation  to  stay  with 
friends  in  the  country,  and  that  Minnie  had  been  busy 
with  her  trousseau,  and,  having  a  particular  friend  of  her 
own  staying  with  her,  quite  declined  to  be  troubled  with 
the  society  of  a  little  girl  fresh  from  school. 

Sir  ^latthew  not  caring  to  vex  his  daughter  when  he 


WAYFARING  MEN  239 

was  so  soon  to  lose  her,  answered  Mrs.  Hereford's  second 
request  graciously,  little  guessing  that  in  so  doing  he  was 
signing  the  death-waiTant  of  his  selfish  hopes  and  schemes. 

He  beamed  approvingly  on  Evereld  when  she  appeared 
in  the  drawing-room  on  the  evening  of  her  return. 

"  Come,  that  is  a  refreshing  sight  for  a  jaded  city  man/* 
he  said,  stroking  her  rosy  cheek  caressingly.  "  Never 
mind,  Evereld,  we  are  all  going  holiday-making  now,  and 
will  forget  all  cares  and  troubles.  Have  you  seen  our 
route,  my  dear?  " 

"  No"  said  Evereld,  "  I'm  longing  to  see  it." 

She  could  not  help  reflecting  that  the  months  since  the 
Easter  holidays  had  wrought  a  very  decided  change  in  Sir 
Matthew,  he  looked  worn  and  harassed,  and  as  though  he 
were  longing  for  rest.  He  seemed,  too,  more  fussy  and 
dictatorial  than  ever,  and  Evereld's  heart  sank  at  the 
prospect  of  travelling  with  him,  for  she  knew  that  travel- 
ling is  the  great  test  of  character.  After  the  merry  talk 
and  the  bantering  discussions  and  the  hot  but  always 
good-tempered  arguments  to  wliich  she  had  grown  ac- 
customed during  the  last  fortnight,  the  talk  which  pre- 
vailed on  various  vexed  questions,  seemed  highly  distaste- 
ful. 

"  I  really  think,"  pleaded  Lady  Mactavish,  in  her 
grumbling  voice,  "  that  considering  how  very  soon  Min- 
nie's marriage  will  be  following  our  return  it  would  be 
most  advisable  to  take  at  least  one  maid  with  us.  There 
are  so  many  little  things  Greenway  could  be  getting  for- 
ward with  if  she  were  at  hand." 

"  Yes,  Papa,"  urged  the  bride-elect.  "  It  will  be  a  most 
awful  nuisance  if  we  have  no  maid  with  us." 

"  If  you  think  you  will  always  have  a  maid,  ray  dear, 
to  dance  attendance  on  you  when  you  are  married,  you 
will  find  you  are  mistaken.  The  wife  of  an  officer  in  a 
marching  regiment  has  to  learn  to  be  independent,  I  as- 
sure you.  And  as  to  taking  a  maid  to  Switzerland  I  shall 
not  hear  of  sucli  a  thing.    You  would  find  her  a  trouble 


240  JV  AY  FARING  MEN 

in  the  hotels,  useless  on  the  steamers,  and  upset  by  the 
long  journeys.  Why  Evereld  will  be  wanting  to  take  her 
old  nurse  next! " 

Evereld  laughed,  but  in  her  heart  she  would  fain  have 
had  Bridget  with  her,  for  she  loved  her  a  great  deal  better 
than  any  other  member  of  the  household. 

The  question  was  thoroughly  threshed  out,  and  many 
disagreeable  things  were  said  on  both  sides;  then  Sir 
Matthew  laid  down  the  law  as  to  the  size  and  amount  of 
the  luggage. 

"  No  great  trunks,  mind  you,"  he  said  in  the  voice  that 
meant  obedience  at  all  costs:  ''  a  small  portmanteau  is  all 
that  can  possibly  be  allowed.  You  don't  go  to  Switzer- 
land to  air  your  fine  clothes  but  to  enjoy  yourself,  and 
there  is  no  enjo}Tnent  possible  if  you  are  burdened  with 
luggage." 

A  long  wrangle  followed  upon  this,  and  at  the  close  of 
it,  dinner  being  over.  Lady  Mactavish  rose  with  an  air  of 
relief  and  went  away  to  discuss  the  matter  anew  with  her 
daughters,  and  to  murmur  over  Sir  Matthew's  extraor- 
dinarv  fussiness. 

"  The  heat  must  be  affecting  his  brain,"  she  said.  "  I 
never  knew  him  so  vexatious.  What  does  he  know  about 
the  clothes  we  shall  require?  And  depend  upon  it  he  will 
be  the  first  to  complain  if  you  look  shabby.  Evereld  my 
dear,  Sir  Matthew  is  calling  you  I  think.  Run  down  and 
Bee." 

Evereld  returned  to  the  dining-room  where  Sir  Mat- 
thew was  sitting  over  his  wine. 

"  In  case  I  don't  see  you  to-morrow,  my  dear,"  he  said, 
"  I  will  give  you  this  cheque  now.  Get  it  cashed  in  five 
pound  notes,  they  will  pass  anywhere." 

"  Is  this  for  my  journey?  "  asked  Evereld,  who  had 
never  received  a  cheque  for  a  hundred  pounds  in  her  life. 

"  No,  no,  I  will  manage  all  your  money  for  you  until 
you  come  of  age.    This  is  only  for  your  dress  and  pocket 


WAYFARING  MEN  241 

money.  I  shall  give  you  another  cheque  to  the  same 
amount  in  six  months'  time.  It  will  be  well  for  you  to 
learn  the  value  of  things  and  to  get  into  the  way  of  keep- 
ing accounts.  By  the  bye,  though  I  say  so  much  about 
its  not  mattering  what  you  wear  in  Switzerland  you  must 
be  sure  to  take  good  strong  boots.  You  know  Mr.  Bruce 
Wylie  is  coming  with  us?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Evereld,  "  I'm  very  glad." 

"  Well,  good-night,  my  dear.  God  bless  you,"  said  Sir 
Matthew.    "  Tell  them  I  shall  not  be  in  till  late." 

Evereld  having  delivered  her  message,  went  slowl}^  up- 
stairs to  the  school-room,  the  most  homelike  place  in  the 
whole  house.  Here  she  found  Bridget  sitting  by  the  open 
window  with  her  knitting. 

"  My  new  life  has  begun,  Bridget,"  she  said,  taking  her 
usual  place  on  her  old  nurse's  lap.  "  Look,  here  is 
money,  a  heap  of  it.  I  am  to  go  out  and  buy  thick-soled 
boots  to-morrow  with  it,  and  an  account  book.  Bridget, 
did  you  ever  keep  accounts?  And  do  you  ever  think  it's 
allowable  to  cook  them?  " 

"  I  can't  say,  dearie,  I  never  kept  any  at  all,  excepting  it 
was  the  savings  bank  book  which  the  post  office  clerks 
keep  for  one." 

"  Sir  Matthew  says  I  must  learn  how  to  manage  money 
and  to  understand  the  value  of  things,"  said  Evereld. 
"  So  we  will  go  out  to-morrow  morning,  Bridget,  together, 
and  I  shall  choose  3'ou  a  black  silk  dress  by  way  of  learn- 


ing." 


"  Why  then,  dearie,  it's  for  your  own  dress  and  not  for 
mine  that  you  must  be  spending  this  upon,"  protested 
Bridget. 

"  It's  to  do  what  I  like  with,  Xursie,  and  I  like  to  get 
you  the  very  nicest  gown  we  can  find,"  said  Evereld, 

"  Well,  well,  dearie,  you  were  alwa)'s  one  to  think  of 
other  folk  first,  and  if  you  will  be  getting  me  a  dress,  let  it 
be  a  black  poplin  for  the  sake  of  the  old  country." 


24*  WAYFARING  MEN 

So  Bridget  and  her  young  mistress  set  forth  the  next 
morning  and  chose  the  best  Irish  poplin,  warranted  to 
wear  for  a  Ufe-time,  and  Evereld  changed  her  cheque  into 
twenty  crisp  five  pound  notes,  eighteen  of  which  Bridget 
securely  sewed  up  for  her  that  evening  in  an  inner  pocket. 

"  There's  many  things  you  may  be  wanting  to  buy  if 
you  come  back  through  Paris,"  she  said,  "  let  alone  its 
being  a  bad  plan  to  leave  the  money  behind  you  here." 

Evereld  sighed  a  little;  it  somehow  hurt  her  to  remem- 
ber that  she  had  all  this  money  for  her  personal  wants  and 
fancies,  while  Ralph  thought  himself  extremely  lucky  to 
be  earning  three  pounds  a  week.  She  had,  however,  a 
shrewd  suspicion  that  he  perhaps  found  more  satisfaction 
out  of  the  money  he  liad  honestly  worked  for,  and  she 
eagerly  looked  forward  to  the  time  when  they  could  share 
lier  fortune  and  make  it  of  real  use. 

The  next  morning  the  whole  house  was  in  a  bustle,  and 
the  atmosphere  seemed  less  oppressive  than  on  the  previ- 
ous night.  Sir  Matthew,  though  looking  ill  and  harassed, 
brightened  up  when  Evereld  appeared  ready  dressed  for 
the  journey  in  a  trim  little  navy  blue  coat  and  skirt,  a 
light  blue  shirt  and  a  dainty  white  sailor  hat.  She  looked 
so  fresh  and  innocent  and  happy  that  for  the  time  he  quite 
forgot  his  schemes  in  the  pleasure  of  just  looking  at  her. 

It  was  not  until  they  were  on  the  platform  at  Victoria, 
and  he  saw  Bruce  Wylie  approaching,  that  he  remembered 
how  necessary  it  was  that  by  the  time  Evereld  returned 
to  London  she  should  be  safely  betrothed  to  her  solicitor. 
The  thought  made  him  glance  critically  at  his  friend.  As 
it  happened  Bruce  Wylie  never  showed  to  more  advantage 
than  at  such  a  time  as  the  present.  His  well  cut  grey 
travelling  suit  and  knickerbockers  made  him  appear  much 
younger  than  he  really  was,  his  fair  hair  and  trim  beard, 
his  merry  grey  eyes,  his  easy,  pleasant  manner  were  all  in 
his  favour. 

"It   will  be  right  enough,"  reflected   Sir  Matthew, 


WAYFARING  MEN  243 

"  The  girl  will  be  properly  in  love  with  him  long  before 
the  end  of  the  tour." 

He  had  no  notion  how  differently  people  regard  the 
same  person  when  one  looks  from  the  standpoint  of  five- 
and-fifty  and  the  other  from  the  standpoint  of  nineteen. 

Evereld  saw  merely  the  lawyer  who  had  brought  her 
chocolates  when  she  was  a  little  girl,  she  knew  that  he 
was  at  least  nine-and-forty,  and  that  from  her  point  of 
view  was  elderly;  the  thirty  years  between  them  made  a 
huge  chasm  which  it  would  never  have  occurred  to  her  to 
bridge  over  in  any  way  but  that  of  friendship.  Even  the 
friendship  could  not  be  the  same  sort  of  thing  as  that  close 
friendship,  that  perfect  understanding  which  comes  be- 
tween two  people  of  the  same  generation.  It  would  have 
had  in  it  something  of  the  position  of  master  and  pupil, 
which  might  have  been  delightful  enough  with  some  men, 
but  she  had  never  felt  any  desire  to  learn  from  Bruce 
Wylie.  She  liked  him  merely  because  he  passed  the  time, 
because  he  had  a  fund  of  good  stories  and  an  easy  natural 
way  of  telling  them. 

So  when  Sir  Matthew  complacently  noticed  the  w^y  in 
which  her  face  lighted  up  as  she  greeted  Bruce  Wylie,  he 
was  wholly  unable  to  guess  that  the  reception  meant  about 
as  much  as  a  child's  joyful  greeting  of  the  appearance  of 
the  clown  in  a  pantomime.  "  Now  we  shall  have  some 
fun,"  reflected  Evereld,  gladly  finding  the  new  comer  be- 
side her  in  the  railway  carriage. 

"  I  need  have  no  scruples,"  reflected  Sir  Matthew. 
"  She  evidently  likes  him  and  encourages  him." 

Bruce  Wylie  was  not  so  sure  in  his  own  heart  how  mat- 
ters stood,  for  Evereld  was  almost  too  frank  and  open  with 
him,  it  was  perfectly  impossible  to  flirt  with  her,  she  liked 
him  in  the  most  unabashed  manner,  just  as  she  had  done 
when  she  was  a  child  of  eleven.  Her  enjoyment  of  his 
talk  was  what  it  had  been  then,  and  he  was  quite  without 
the  power  of  kindling  in  her  heart  any  deeper  feeling. 


244  WAYFARING  MEN 

Being  a  shrewd  man  lie  laid  his  plans  warily,  and 
worked  patientl}',  never  venturing  to  make  actual  love  to 
her.  At  all  costs  he  must  avoid  startling  her,  or  making 
her  draw  back  from  that  frank  friendliness  which  was 
likely  to  prove  so  useful.  But  every  day  he  was  her  special 
companion,  and  she  could  not  help  feeling  grateful  to  him 
for  the  care  he  took  of  her,  the  pains  he  took  to  please  her, 
and  the  real  enjoyment  which  he  managed  to  impart  to 
what  would  otherwise  have  been  rather  a  trying  tour. 

"  Why  do  you  hesitate  longer,"  urged  Sir  Matthew, 
during  their  stay  at  Zermatt,  "  September  is  nearly  half 
gone,  we  have  but  another  fortnight  abroad.  Why  not 
propose  to  the  girl  here?  " 

"  Not  yet,  not  yet,"  said  Bruce  Wylie,  "  I  tell  you,  Mac- 
tavish,  she  has  not  a  thought  of  anything  of  the  kind. 
She  treats  me  as  if  I  were  her  grandfather." 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  she  is  devoted  to  you,"  said  Sir 
Matthew.  "  She  has  not  a  word  to  say  to  any  of  the  young 
men  in  the  hotel  though  they  are  ready  enough  to  admire 
her.  She  deliberately  avoids  them,  I  have  noticed  her, 
and  is  hand  and  glove  with  you.  What  more  would  you 
have?  " 

"  Oh,  I  ^-ill  arrange  it  all  before  the  end  of  the  tour," 
said  Bruce  Wylie,  "  by  hook  or  crook  it  must  be  done. 
Let  me  see;  to-morrow  we  go  to  Glion  for  a  fortnight.  It 
is  there  that  we  must  contrive  the  finale." 

"  If  it  were  not  such  a  serious  matter,"  said  Sir  Matthew 
with  a  grim  smile,  ''One  could  have  a  hearty  laugh  over 
the  irony  of  fate.  Here  we  are  with  an  unconscious  little 
slip  of  a  girl  and  she  holds  everything  in  her  hands.  For 
if  the  difficulty  as  to  her  fortune  becomes  known,  then  a 
dozen  other  things  will  collapse  shortly  after.  God  bless 
my  soul — it's  awful  to  think  of  !  " 

"  So  much  the  more  reason  to  play  this  part  of  the  game 
warily,"  said  Bruce  Wylie.  "  It  is  like  the  story  of  the 
child's  hand  thrust  into  the  leaking  dam  and  saving  the 


WAYFARING  MEN  245 

country  from  the  deluge  that  would  otherwise  have  come 
about.  I  must  capture  Evereld's  hand  and  hold  it  fast  to 
save  the  general  ruin;  whether  she  likes  it  or  not  it  will 
have  to  be  done." 

"  And  the  girl  cares  for  you,  there  will  be  no  harm  in 
it,"  said  Sir  Matthew  suavely.  "  I  tell  you  what,  Wylie, 
at  Glion  we  must  gradually  let  people  see  that  you  are  in 
love  with  her.  That  will  be  easy  enough  without  alarm- 
ing her.  We  will  set  some  of  the  women  folk  clacking. 
And  if  Evereld's  pride  is  once  touched,  if  she  feels  that 
she  has  been  gossiped  about,  that  people  see  that  she  has 
encouraged  you,  and  that  she  is  a  little  compromised,  why 
then  we  shall  win  easily  enough.  She  will  very  readily 
be  persuaded  into  an  engagement,  and  we  will  take  good 
care  to  have  her  married  before  the  year  is  out." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Bruce  Wylie.  "  At  Glion  we  will  ad- 
vance to  the  next  stage.  It  will  be  a  more  amusing  one 
than  the  present,  and  will  need  skilful  management.  I 
must  think  things  over.  By  the  b3'e,  she  never  mentions 
Ralph  Denmead,  her  old  playfellow.  Have  you  lost  sight 
of  him?" 

"  She  told  me  last  Christmas  that  he  was  going  most 
likely  on  some  tour  in  Scotland.  Here  she  comes,  we  will 
just  ask  her,  but  you  need  fear  nothing  in  that  quarter. 
It  was  just  a  natural  childish  friendship  between  the  two. 
They  know  each  other's  faults  too  well  to  fall  in  love." 

"  I  see  that  young  Oxonian  is  persecuting  her,"  ob- 
served Bruce  Wylie,  watching  a  sunburnt  undergraduate 
who  had  taken  to  following  Evereld  about  on  all  occa- 
sions. She  did  not  seem  to  be  at  all  responsive,  and  her 
face  lighted  up  most  satisfactorily  when  she  perceived  Sir 
Matthew,  while  her  companion  was  visibly  chagrined. 

"  Watching  the  afterglow?  "  said  Sir  Matthew,  as  they 
approached. 

"  It's  hardly  worth  watching  to-night,"  said  the  Ox- 
onian sulkily,  as  he  noticed    the    alacrity  with  wliich 


246  WAYFARING  MEN 

l^vereld  moved  towards  Bruce  Wylie.  What  the  girl 
could  see  in  this  conceited  fellow  he  could  not  imagine. 

"  We  were  just  speaking  of  Ralph  Denmead,  Evereld/"' 
said  Sir  Matthew.    "  Have  you  heard  of  him  lately?  " 

"  Yes,  I  hear  from  him  now  and  then,  and  I  saw  him 
not  so  very  long  ago,"  said  Evereld.  "  He  was  with  Mac- 
neillie's  Company  when  they  were  at  Southbourne."  By 
a  strong  effort  of  self-control  she  kept  both  voice  and  man- 
ner perfectly  calm  and  natural. 

"  You  saw  him  act?  " 

"  Yes,  he  seems  getting  on  very  well.  The  Herefords 
knew  something  of  Mr.  Macneillie  and  they  breakfasted 
Avith  us  sometimes.    He  has  been  very  kind  to  Ralph." 

"  Well  I'm  glad  the  boy  has  fallen  on  his  feet,"  said  Sir 
Matthew.  "  I  suppose  there  was  a  touch  of  genius  about 
him,  but  he  was  not  the  least  fit  for  the  Indian  Civil  Ser- 
vice. Are  you  staying  at  Zermatt  much  longer?"  he 
added,  turning  to  young  Dick  Lewisham  who  was  still 
one  of  the  group. 

"  I  am  leaving  to-morrow,"  he  replied,  "  and  shall  get 
on  as  far  as  Villeneuve,  I  think." 

"  Ah  yes,  a  charming  hotel  tl>ere,"  said  Sir  Matthew, 
"  and  the  lake  in  September  is  delightful." 

Having  comfortably  disposed  of  Mr.  Lewisham  in  this 
fashion  he  was  far  from  pleased  when  on  the  morning 
after  their  arrival  at  Glion  lie  encountered  him  in  the 
garden  of  the  Rigi  Vaudois. 

"  It  was  so  abominably  hot  down  below,"  said  Dick 
Lewisham  cheerfully,  "  I  was  obliged  to  come  on  here." 

"  I  should  advise  you  to  go  on  still  higher  to  Mont 
Caux,"  said  Sir  Matthew.  "  It  is  a  magnificent  hotel  up 
there." 

"  Thanks,  but  this  is  more  handy,  and  I  like  the  look  of 
the  place." 

"  You'll  find  it  over-crowded,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  we 
should  not  have  got  rooms  unless  we  had  ordered  them  be- 
forehand." 


WAYFARING  MEN  247 

"  You  are  a  large  party,"  said  the  Oxonian,  making  his 
way  round  to  the  main  entrance. 

"  How  that  old  buffer  does  detest  me,"  he  reflected. 
"  I  begin  to  think  he  is  bent  on  marrying  his  pretty  ward 
to  that  beast  Wylie,  and  is  afraid  I  shall  spoil  sport.  A 
likely  thing  when  she  will  give  me  nothing  but  snubs  the 
moment  I  show  a  spark  of  sentiment.  Is  it  possible  though 
that  such  a  girl  can  care  for  a  regular  man  of  the  world 
thirty  years  older  than  herself?  I'll  never  believe  it. 
There's  a  mystery  somewhere.    I  shall  stay  here  and  watch 

how  things  go." 

Evereld  greeted  him  pleasantly,  but  not  at  all  warmly 
when  she  encountered  him  after  table  d'  bote.  She  could 
have  liked  him  extremely  if  his  attentions  had  been  a  little 
less  overwhelming,  or  if  she  could  have  told  him  of  Ralph. 
As  it  was,  he  frightened  her,  and  she  was  too  much  of  a 
novice  to  know  the  best  way  to  steer  her  course.  She  in- 
variably fled  for  refuge  to  her  old  friend,  Bruce  Wylie, 
little  dreaming  that  by  so  doing  she  might  confirm  the 
gentle  hints  which  Sir  Matthew  and  Lady  Mactavish  be- 
gan to  drop  cautiously  among  their  acquaintance  in  the 
hotel. 

People  enjoy  few  things  more  during  their  idle  holiday 
hours  in  a  health  resort  than  watching  any  little  drama 
that  may  happen  to  be  taking  place  before  them. 

Evereld  with  her  sweet  innocent  face  turning  to  the  old 
friend  of  her  childhood  and  apparently  encouraging  him 
in  every  way  while  she  sedulously  snubbed  the  young  Ox- 
onian, was  a  spectacle  that  greatly  pleased  and  edified  the 
Enghsh  visitors  at  the  Eigi  Vaudois.  It  began  to  be 
rumoured  that  Mr.  Lewisham  was  only  running  after  her 
money,  that  Bruce  Wylie  saw  it  all  plainly  enough,  but 
that  he  was  practically  sure  that  little  Miss  Ewart  was 
attached  to  him.  That  in  fact  an  engagement  might  be 
declared  at  any  moment. 

Something  of  this  sort  reached  the  ears  of  Dick  Lew- 


248  WAYFARING  MEN 

jsham,  and  so  angered  him  that  he  determined  to  find 
out  the  truth  for  himself. 

It  happened  that  there  was  a  dance  in  the  hotel  that 
evening,  lie  knew  that  Evereld  would  not  refuse  to 
dance  with  him,  and  having  secured  her  as  his  partner  for 
the  first  pas  de  quatre,  he  afterwards  persuaded  her  to 
come  out  on  to  the  terrace. 

The  garden  was  deserted,  and  Dick  Lewisham  plunged 
straight  into  the  subject  which  was  filling  his  mind.  He 
was  a  very  honest,  outspoken  sort  of  fellow,  and  he  began 
to  fancy  that  Evereld  would  not  so  openly  encourage 
Bruce  Wylie  had  she  known  that  people  were  beginning  to 
comment  on  it. 

"  Miss  Ewart,"  he  said  abruptly.  "  These  little  English 
colonics  are  always  hot-beds  of  gossip.  And  in  this  case 
the  gossip  I  have  just  heard  tends  to  explain  your  marked 
coldness  to  me.  I  think  there  is  no  need  for  me  to  tell 
you  of  my  love — of " 

"  Oh,  stop,  stop,"  said  Evereld,  "  I  can't  let  you  say  that. 
I  tried  so  hard  to  show  you  that  I  couldn't  care." 

Her  distress  struck  him  speechless  for  a  moment;  in- 
stinctively they  walked  on  to  a  more  sheltered  corner  of 
the  garden. 

"  It  is  true  then — you  already  care  for — this  other." 

"  Yes,"  she  faltered.  "  But  no  one  knows,  here,  oh, 
how  can  you  have  guessed?  " 

"  Why  it  is  the  talk  of  the  hotel,"  said  Dick  Lewisham. 
"  Every  one  sees  that  he  cares  for  you  and  that  you  en- 
courage him." 

Her  eyes  dilated.  For  a  moment  she  stared  at  him 
blankly,  "What  can  you  mean?"  she  cried.  "He  is  in 
England,  and  no  one  here  knows — no  one  must  know." 

"  Everyone  is  saying  that  you  and  Mr.  Wylie  care  for 
each  other;  if  that  is  true  I  will  trouble  you  no  more." 

"  They  are  saying  that!  "  she  exclaimed.  "  How  per- 
fectly ridiculous  of  them!  "  and  in  the  sudden  revulsion  of 


WAYFARING  MEN  249 

feelmg  she  burst  out  laughing.  "  Why  I  have  known  him 
since  1  was  a  little  girl,  and  even  then  he  seemed  to  me 
quite  elderly.  My  chief  reason  for  liking  him  as  a  friend 
is  that  he  was  always  kind  to  Ealph  as  well  as  to  me  when 
we  were  children." 

Then  in  a  flash  it  all  came  back  to  Dick  Lewisham; 
once  more  he  stood  in  the  grounds  of  the  hotel  at  Zermatt 
watching  the  afterglow,  and  listening  to  what  was  more 
or  less  meaningless  talk  to  him  about  a  young  actor  named 
Ealph  Denmead.  It  was  somehow  less  hard  to  him  to  re- 
tire before  an  unknown  rival;  it  was  Bruce  Wylie  he  so 
cordially  detested.  Moreover  in  having  thus  surprised 
Evereld  Ewart's  secret,  his  position  had  been  changed 
whether  he  would  or  no,  from  that  of  lover  to  friend  and 
protector.  He  knew  what  no  one  else  in  the  place  knew, 
and  this  gave  him,  in  spite  of  his  rejection,  a  sort  of  sooth- 
ing sensation.  His  admiration  for  Evereld  had  been  very 
genuine,  but  it  had  been  the  sort  of  love  which  strikes  no 
very  deep  roots  in  the  heart.  He  was  now  only  chival- 
rously anxious  to  help  her  in  any  way  he  could. 

"  I  will  go  away  from  the  place  at  once  if  you  would 
rather,"  he  said,  after  a  somewhat  prolonged  pause. 
"  But  you  may  trust  me  always  to  respect  what  you  have 
told  me." 

"  Then  don't  go,"  she  said,  giving  him  her  hand.  "  I 
always  knew  I  could  like  you  as  a  friend  if  only  you  had 
understood  how  things  were.  I  think  I  won't  dance  again 
to-night.  We  are  to  have  a  long  excursion  to-morrow.  I 
will  say  good-night  to  you  and  run  in," 

"  And  if  at  any  time  I  can  serve  you,  be  sure  you  re- 
member me,"  said  Dick  Lewisham  looking  into  the  truth- 
ful blue  eyes  lifted  to  his. 

"  I  will  indeed,"  she  said.  "  We  only  wait  to  be  actu- 
ally engaged  till  I  am  twenty-one.  I  wish  the  time  would 
go  faster." 

Dick  Lewisham  escorted  her  back  to  the  hotel,  and  then 


2SO  WAYFARING  MEN 

lighting  a  cigarette  returned  once  more  to  pace  up  and 
down  tlie  garden  path  they  had  just  quitted.  The  night 
was  sultry,  every  now  and  then  he  could  see  summer  light- 
ning playing  about  the  peaks  of  the  Savoy  mountains  on 
the  other  side  of  the  lake.  Still  musing  over  his  talk  with 
Evereld  he  threw  himself  down  on  a  sheltered  garden  seat 
which  stood  on  a  little  lawn  screened  on  all  sides  by 
bushes.  From  time  to  time  he  heard  steps  on  the  path 
just  beyond,  and  caught  curious  scraps  of  conversation 
over  which  he  smiled  in  a  cynical  fashion. 

Now  it  was  a  woman's  voice. 

"  Well,  what  you  can  see  to  admire  in  her  I  can't  im- 
agine, and  her  dress!  why  those  sleeves  might  have  come 
out  of  the  ark.  Oh  you  didn't  notice  them.  How  curious 
men  are." 

Next  came  a  pair  of  lovers. 

"  Dearest!  "  said  one  voice. 

"  My  own!  "  replied  the  other. 

And  Dick  Lewisham  cruelly  coughed.  After  which 
dead  silence  reigned. 

By  and  bye  a  mellow,  manly  voice  startled  him  into 
keen  attention;  it  was  Bruce  Wylie. 

"  I'll  propose  to  her  to-morrow  whatever  happens.  You 
can  give  the  others  just  a  hint  and  they  will  keep  out  of 
the  wav.  "We  must  have  matters  settled  before  leaving 
Switzerland.    If  she  refuses  me " 

"  Why  then,"  said  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish,  "  I  shall 
step  in  with  the  authority  of  a  guardian.  We  will  have 
no  nonsense  about  the  matter.  But  she  will  not  refuse 
you.    She  has  too  much  good  sense." 

The  voices  died  away  in  the  distance.  Dick  Lewisham 
laughed  long  and  silently. 

"  So  that  is  your  game,  my  fine  friend!  It  is  you  who 
are  after  little  Miss  l^^wart's  money  though  you  have  had 
the  .slander  set  afloat  that  I  was  a  fortune-hunter.  IIo! 
ho!"  he  rubbed  his  hands  with  satisfaction,  "how  I 


WAYFARING  MEN  251 

should  like  to  see  your  face  when  that  little  blue-cyeJ 
girl  rejects  you.  I'll  at  any  rate  stay  on  here  to  see  you 
when  you  return." 

He  was  loitering  about  at  the  cable  railway  station  the 
next  morning  when  Evereld  and  Janet  Mactavish  walked 
from  the  hotel  to  take  their  places  in  the  down-going 
carriage. 

"And  where  are  you  off  to  this  morning?"  he  in- 
quired. 

"  We  are  going  to  see  the  Gorge  de  Trient,"  said 
Evereld,  "  at  least  some  of  us  are.  You  are  going  to 
sketch  near  that  waterfall,  are  you  not,  Janet." 

"  Yes,"  said  Janet,  "  but  Major  Gillot  and  Minnie  and 
Mr.  AYylie  will  be  with  you.  Four  makes  a  much  better 
number  and  I  want  a  quiet  day." 

Dick  Lewisham  laughed  in  his  sleeve,  he  felt  sure  that 
Janet  had  been  taken  into  the  plot.  Then  with  some 
compunction  he  glanced  at  Evereld's  unsuspicious  face; 
her  manner  to  him  was  perfect,  he  felt  glad  to  think  that 
she  trusted  him,  and  wondered  much  in  what  fashion  she 
would  get  through  the  excursion.  It  was  hardly  likely  he 
feared  to  be  a  day  of  pleasure  to  her. 

They  were  now  joined  by  Minnie  and  her  fiajice,  and 
at  the  last  moment  Bruce  Wylie  walked  coolly  across  the 
little  platform  and  down  the  steps,  taking  his  place  just 
before  the  carriage  slid  down  its  steep  incline. 

"  Oh  be  quick!  take  care!  "  said  Evereld  with  a  look 
of  alarm;  and  Dick  Lewisham  turned  away,  musing  over 
the  words  and  the  expression  of  the  girl's  face. 

"  Evidently  she  likes  him  very  much  as  an  old  friend," 
he  reflected.    "  I  wonder  how  she  will  get  on." 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

"  To  hug  the  wealth  ye  cannot  use, 
And  lack  the  riches  all  may  gain, 
O  blind  and  wanting  wit  to  choose, 

Who  house  the  cliaff  and  burn  the  grain  I 
And  still  doth  life  with  starry  towers 

Lure  to  the  bright  divine  ascent  ! 
Be  yours  the  things  3e  would  :    be  ours 
The  things  that  are  more  excellent." 

William  Watson. 

"  Come  over  to  this  side  of  the  carriage,"  said  Bruce 
Wylie  as  the}'  took  their  places  in  the  train  at  Territet, 
"  you  will  get  the  best  of  the  views  this  side." 

Evereld  had  become  quite  used  to  his  kindly  little  ar- 
rangements for  her  comfort,  she  felt  sure  in  her  own  mind 
that  any  good-natured  man  would  have  done  as  much  for 
a  girl  on  her  first  Swiss  tour,  and  she  smiled  to  herself  at 
that  ridiculous  report  which  ^Ir.  Lewisham  had  quoted 
to  her.  After  all,  though,  was  it  not  very  likely  that  she 
herself  had  misjudged  other  people  in  exactly  the  same 
way?  She  was  always  making  little  romances  in  her  mind 
about  the  people  they  met  in  the  hotels,  and  they  gen- 
erally proved  to  be  wrong  when  closer  acquaintance  re- 
vealed the  truth. 

She  felt  perfectly  happy  that  September  morning  as 
they  journeyed  along  the  lovely  lake,  past  the  red  roofed 
Castle  of  Chillon,  past  the  white  peaks  of  the  Dent  du 
Midi  to  St.  Maurice,  and  then  on  once  more  through  the 
somewhat  trying  heat  of  the  Rhone  Valley  to  Vemayaz. 

"  I  shall  be  quite  independent  of  you,"  said  Janet,  "  and 
shall  spend  my  day  sketching.  We  will  all  meet  here 
again  in  time  for  the  train." 

"  Oh  we  must  come  and  see  you  settled,"  said  Bruce 
"Wylie,  "  besides  Evereld  ought  to  see  the  waterfall  nearer 
than  from  the  train.  We  have  our  whole  day  before  us, 
there  is  no  hurry." 


WAYFARING  MEN  253 

In  the  end  these  three  walked  off  together  in  tlie  direc- 
tion of  the  Pissevache,  while  the  two  lovers  went  in  the  op- 
posite direction,  promising  to  order  luncheon  at  the  hotel. 

Evereld  seemed  more  talkative  than  usual,  but  when, 
having  duly  inspected  the  waterfall,  he  tried  hard  to  draw 
her  into  the  region  of  sentiment,  she  seemed  more  pro- 
voldngly  matter  of  fact  than  ever. 

"  It's  very  sad  to  think  we  have  only  one  more  excur- 
sion before  we  go  home,"  he  remarked,  "  how  detestable 
England  will  seem  after  this  holiday." 

"  Do  you  think  so,"  said  Evereld,  "  why  I  am  longing 
to  get  back  to  England.  Lovely  as  this  place  is,  it  seems 
so  dreadfully  far  away." 

"  Far  away  from  what?  "  said  Bruce  Wylie. 

"  Well,  from  one's  friends  and  belongings,"  said 
Evereld. 

Bruce  Wylie  could  only  pretend  to  be  deeply  offended. 

"  You  say  that  to  me,"  he  said  tragically,  "  one  of  your 
oldest  friends! " 

She  laughed  merrily. 

"  It  was  certainly  a  case  of  what  Punch  would  call 
'  Things  one  would  rather  have  expressed  differently.' 
But  though  the  tour  has  been  a  great  treat  I  believe  I 
should  always  begin  to  be  homesick  for  England  at  the 
end  of  six  weeks." 

"  Oh  if  it  is  only  an  abstraction  like  England  I  will  not 
be  Jealous,  it  isn't  worth  while,"  said  her  companion  with 
a  laugh. 

And  Evereld  blushed  a  little,  knowing  that  it  was  not 
England  in  the  abstract,  but  nearness  to  Ealph  that  she 
longed  for. 

Bruce  Wylie  saw  the  blush  and  was  pleased.  He  en- 
tirely misunderstood  it,  and  might  have  proposed  to  her 
at  that  very  minute,  had  not  some  very  dirty  little  children 
besieged  them  just  then  with  the  usual  request  for  money. 

The  straggling  street  of  Vemayaz  was  not  the  place 
for  a  private  conversation,  he  would  wait  till  later  in  the 
day. 


254  WAYFARING  MEN 

After  a  merry  lunch  at  the  hotel  with  Minnie  and 
Major  Gillot  they  all  went  together  to  see  the  Gorge  de 
Trient,  and  here  he  contrived  to  fall  behind  on  the  pre- 
text of  pointing  out  some  particularly  striking  effect  to 
Evercld  as  they  threaded  their  way  through  the  awful 
ravine  with  its  foaming  wliite  torrent  and  its  towering 
heights  above. 

But  his  effort  was  useless,  for  something  in  the  majesty 
of  this  great  rock,  cleft  so  strangely,  had  filled  Evereld 
with  awe;  she  was  thinking  her  own  thoughts  and  was 
quite  unresponsive  to  all  his  attempts  to  draw  her  into 
conversation. 

"  It  feels  like  a  church,"  she  said  once  as  they  paused 
for  a  few  minutes,  and  Bruce  Wylie  anxious  not  to  jar 
upon  her  in  any  way,  relapsed  into  silence. 

Emerging  at  length  from  tlie  cool  shade  of  the  Gorge 
de  Trient,  they  returned  to  the  hotel,  Major  Gillot  ordered 
coffee,  and  Bruce  Wylie  took  the  opportunity  to  draw  him 
aside  and  suggest  a  change  of  programme, 

"  Sir  Matthew  gave  me  leave  to  take  Evereld  on  to 
Finshauts  if  she  liked  the  idea,"  he  said.  "  Let  us  all  meet 
at  the  station.  But  don't  wait  for  us  if  we  chance  to  be 
late.  Lady  Mactavish  might  be  anxious.  I  will  bring  her 
on  by  the  next  train  in  any  case." 

"  All  right,"  said  the  Major,  paying  no  very  great  heed 
to  the  words,  and  well  plea&ed  to  be  left  with  Minnie  for 
the  rest  of  the  time. 

"  Evereld,"  said  Bruce  AVylie,  rejoining  the  ladies,  "  I 
don't  know  what  you  will  say  to  the  notion,  but  it  seems 
to  me  very  hot  down  in  this  place,  and  we  have  still  some 
hours  before  us.  I  find  there  is  a  most  beautiful  drive  to 
a  place  called  Finshauts  up  in  the  mountains,  with  a  very 
fine  view  of  Mont  Blanc.  Shall  you  and  I  make  a  pilgrim- 
age up  there  and  leave  Miss  Mactavish  and  Major  Gillot 
to  enjoy  this  garden  in  peace?  " 

"  I  think  it  would  be  lovely,"  said  Evereld,  her  eyes 


WAYFARING  MEN  235 

lighting  up.  "  I  liave  been  longing  to  get  to  the  top  ever 
since  we  came  here." 

Bruce  Wylie  was  pleased  that  she  should  fall  in  witli 
the  idea,  and  went  off  at  once  to  order  a  carriage,  but  per- 
haps her  delighted  acquiescence  troubled  him  a  little,  for 
he  made  several  attempts  to  justify  his  scheme  to  his  own 
conscience. 

"  If  she  accepts  me  I  shall  take  care  to  be  in  good  time 
for  the  train,  and  all  will  be  well,"  he  argued.  "  And  she 
will  accept  me  in  all  probability  after  a  little  persuasion. 
If  not,  there  is  nothing  for  it  but  Sir  Matthew's  plan  of 
scaring  her  with  the  fear  of  what  people  will  say.  No  real 
harm  will  be  done,  none  whatever.  We  shall  merely  play 
a  little  upon  her  credulity  and  ignorance  and  her  proper 
pride,  and  all  the  rest  of  it.  The  game  is  worth  the  candle, 
for  without  her,  sooner  or  later  we  shall  be  ruined." 

He  was  more  considerate  and  gentle  in  manner  than 
ever  when  at  length  they  set  off  together  on  their  drive  to 
Finshauts;  her  perfect  confidence  in  him  gave  him  an 
uncomfortable  sensation,  he  kept  on  deferring  the  speech 
which  must  be  made,  and  allowed  her  to  enjoy  to  the  full 
the  beauty  of  the  winding  road  with  its  shady  groves  of 
walnut  and  chestnut  trees,  and  its  wonderful  glimpses  of 
the  Rhone  Valley.  They  paused  after  a  time  to  see  the 
Falls  of  Emaney,  and  when  they  once  more  got  into  the 
carriage,  Bruce  Wylie  made  up  his  mind  that  before  the 
next  stage  was  reached  his  work  must  somehow  be  done. 
He  looked  down  into  her  glowing  happy  face. 

"  You  are  enjoying  it?  "  he  said  kindly. 

"  Oh  more  than  I  can  tell  you,"  she  said.  "  It  is  quite 
the  best  drive  we  have  had.    What  a  pity  Janet  isn't  here." 

"  For  once  you  must  let  me  be  selfish,"  said  Bruce  Wylie 
laughing.  "  I  am  heartily  glad  she  is  not  here.  '  Two  is 
company,  three  is  trumpery,'  as  the  proverb  says." 

"  I  never  agree  with  that  proverb,"  said  Evereld.  "  We 
had  a  three-cornered  friendship  at  school  and  it  was  de- 
lightful." 


256  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  For  school  friends  it  may  be  well  enough.  But  I  am 
something  more  than  your  friend,  Evereld,  I  am  your 
lover." 

The  assertion  struck  her  dumb  for  a  minute. 

"  Surely  you  had  realised  that?  "  said  Bruce  Wylie. 
"  You  must,  I  think,  have  known  it  all  these  weeks  that 
we  have  been  together." 

"  Oh,  no,  no,"  she  cried  in  distress.  "  I  never  dreamt  of 
such  a  thing.     Please  never  say  that  again." 

"  But  I  must  say  it  again.  I  want  to  make  you  under- 
stand me.  For  years  I  have  hoped  that  you  would  some 
day  be  my  wife.  And  when  you  understand  me  better  I 
think  you  will  say  '  yes,'  Evereld." 

"  No,"  she  said  desperately,  "  I  can  never  say  it.  I 
could  never  care  for  you  in  that  way.  Please  let  us  just 
be  friends  as  we  used  to  be." 

"  But  things  are  altered  now,  you  are  no  longer  a  child, 
but  a  woman.  Believe  me,  dear,  I  would  make  you  very 
happy.  You  perhaps  think  that  the  difference  in  our 
age  is  a  drawback.  But  some  of  the  happiest  marriages  I 
have  known  have  been  marriages  of  that  sort.  One  can't 
make  a  hard  and  fast  rule  as  to  age." 

"It  is  not  that,"  said  Evereld.  "That  might  not 
matter  a  bit.     But  I  could  never  love  you." 

"  I  will  take  my  chance  of  that.    The  love  would  grow." 

"  No,  it  never  could.  .  .  .  Please  believe  me  and 
say  no  more.  I  can't  think  what  makes  you  wish  it  when 
you  must  have  met  so  many  much  more  fit." 

"  But  I  have  been  waiting  and  hoping  for  you.  And 
you  must  at  any  rate  promise  me  to  think  it  over  for  a  few 
days  before  quite  deciding.  I  have  taken  you  by  surprise. 
Think  it  over  quietly,  and  we  will  talk  about  it  some  other 
day." 

"  If  I  thought  for  years  it  would  make  no  difference," 
said  Evereld. 

"  You  fancy  so,  because  like  all  young  girls  you  have 


WAYFARING  MEN  257 

made  a  sort  of  ideal  in  your  own  mind,  and  no  living  man 
can  come  up  to  that  ideal."' 

She  shook  her  head. 

"  No,  not  an  ideal,"  she  said  softly,  and  into  her  eyes 
there  stole  the  soft  love  light  which  revealed  all  too  clearly 
her  thoughts. 

"  She  cares  for  some  one  else,"  reflected  Bruce  Wylie, 
"  I  suppose  it's  that  confounded  young  Denmead.  Well, 
silence  is  golden.  She  must  be  left  till  to-morrow  to  re- 
flect." 

"  Dear  child,"  he  said  in  his  mellow  voice.  •  "  Don't 
look  so  grave.  I  will  say  no  more  just  at  present.  I  only 
ask  you  to  give  what  I  have  said  your  careful  thought. 
Here  we  are  at  Triquent." 

Evereld  drew  out  her  watch,  but  in  the  worry  of  the 
previous  evening,  after  her  talk  with  Mr.  Lewisham,  she 
had  forgotten  to  wind  it  up — the  hands  pointed  to  four 
o'clock. 

"  My  watch  has  stopped,"  she  said,  "  but  surely  it  is 
time  we  turned  back  !  Finshauts  seems  much  further 
than  I  expected." 

"  Oh,  we  shall  soon  be  there  now,"  said  Bruce  Wylie, 
glancing  at  the  time.  "  It  takes  us  some  while  to  climb  up, 
but  we  shall  rattle  down  again  at  a  great  pace." 

It  seemed  a  pity  to  have  come  so  far  and  not  after  all 
to  see  the  view  of  Mont  Blanc,  and  though  Evereld  longed 
to  be  back  with  the  others,  and  dreaded  the  tete-a-tete  with 
her  companion  after  what  had  passed,  she  scarcely  liked  to 
say  any  more  about  returning. 

She  was  grateful  to  him,  moreover,  because  on  the  last 
stage  of  the  journey  he  got  out  and  walked  beside  the 
driver,  leaving  her  to  her  great  relief  unmolested. 

"  He  is  a  wonderfully  kind  man,"  she  reflected.  "  I 
hope  I  wasn't  too  emphatic,  but  one  had  to  make  him 
quite  understand.  Even  now  we  shall  have  to  talk  it  over 
again.     Oh  dear !     Oh  dear  !  how  I  wish  Kalph  and  I 


258  WAYFARING   MEN 

were  really  engaged,  then  one  wouldn't  be  so  tongue-tied. 
I  shall  only  be  twenty  in  the  spring,  and  there  will  still  be 
a  year  to  wait." 

The  road  passed  now  through  a  wood,  and  something  in 
its  green  depths  of  shade  made  her  think  of  a  wood  near 
Southbourne  where  they  had  once  spent  a  happy  mid- 
term holiday  with  the  Herefords,  during  her  school  days. 

"  How  I  wish  I  were  at  school  again  now,"  she  thought 
sadly.  "  It  was  all  so  happy  and  easy  there,  with  none  of 
these  worries  and  misunderstandings.  And  yet  I  don't 
either,  for  if  I  were  still  at  school  Ealph  would  not  have 
spoken  to  me  that  Sunday,  that  wonderful  Sunday." 

She  fell  into  a  happy  dream,  and  was  startled  when 
Bruce  Wylie  suddenly  appeared  at  the  carriage  door  and 
resumed  his  place  beside  her. 

"  She  was  thinking  of  that  boy,"  he  reflected  with  an- 
noyance. "  This  business  will  make  our  task  even  more 
disagreeable." 

"  You  look  tired,"  he  said,  "  when  we  reach  the  Hotel 
Bel  Oiseau  I  will  order  some  tea  to  be  got  ready  while  we 
go  on  to  the  best  point  of  view." 

"  But  are  you  sure  we  shall  have  time.  We  must  not 
miss  that  train,"  said  Evereld. 

"  Oh,  plenty  of  time.  It's  all  down  hill  going  back,  and 
besides  the  horse  must  rest,  and  the  driver  will  certainly 
expect  to  drink  our  health  in  the  vin  du  pays." 

His  manner  set  her  mind  at  rest,  and  indeed  for  a  time 
she  forgot  all  else  in  the  wonderful  panorama  that  opened 
out  before  them  as  Mont  Blanc  and  the  Chamounix  Valley 
came  into  view.  It  was  a  scene  to  remember  for  a  life- 
time, and  Evereld,  with  her  young  heart  and  her  clear 
conscience,  was  able  to  revel  in  its  beauty,  and  to  cast  off 
altogether  all  petty  cares  and  vexations. 

These,  however,  returned  when  they  went  back  to  the 
Hotel  Bel  Oiseau;  a  mistake  had  been  made — or  so  Bruce 
Wylie  told  her — a?  tn  the  ton.  and  it  took  a  long  time  in 


WAYFARING  MEN  259 

coming.  Then  there  was  yet  auotiier  delay  because  the 
coachman  had  mysteriously  disappeared,  and  when  at  last 
the  horse  was  put  in  and  they  turned  back  to  Vernayez, 
Evereld  was  certain  that  they  had  allowed  very  scanty 
time  for  the  descent. 

"  It's  as  much  as  we  shall  do  to  catch  this  train,"  re- 
marked her  companion,  as  they  at  length  gained  the 
valley. 

"  There  is  a  train  now  just  passing,"  exclaimed  Evereld. 

"  Not  ours,  I  daresay,"  said  Bruce  Wylie,  "  no,"  looking 
at  his  watch  reassuringly,  "  it's  not  due  for  another  ten 
minutes.     We  shall  do  it  all  right,  don't  be  anxious." 

"  There,  we  are  punctual  to  the  minute,"  he  remarked, 
as  they  drew  up  at  the  station,  "  and  no  train  is  here. 
Ha  !  what's  that  you  say  ?"  he  added,  as  an  old  porter 
came  leisurely  up  to  them.  "  The  train  gone?  Why, 
it's  only  now  due." 

The  porter  explained,  with  many  gesticulations,  that 
the  Monsieur's  watch  was  ten  minutes  slow. 

"  How  annoying,"  said  Bruce  Wylie,  "  when  is  the  next 
train  for  St.  Maurice  and  Territet?  " 

"  There  are  no  more  this  evening,  monsieur,"  said  the 
porter.  *'  Monsieur  will  find  many  good  hotels  in  Ver- 
nayez." 

Bruce  Wylie  made  a  w^ell  feigned  ejaculation  of  annoy- 
ance. 

"  The  others  will  have  seen  that  we  were  not  there," 
said  Evereld,  springing  out  of  the  carriage,  "  I  will  run 
and  look  for  Janet;"  but  she  returned  forlornly  in  a  min- 
ute, for  Janet  was  not  there. 

"  I  think  she  might  have  waited,"  said  the  girl,  indig- 
nantly. 

"  Oh,  they  would  naturally  conclude  we  should  come 
on  by  a  later  train  as  we  didn't  turn  up  till  this  one 
started,"  said  Bruce  Wylie,  "  in  fact  I  told  the  Major  we 
should  do  that  if  bv  anv  ill  fortune  we  were  too  late.     W^o 


2Go  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

could  have  guessed  that  there  were  no  trains  later  than 
this?  " 

"  You  looked  out  the  trains  yourself  yesterday,"  said 
Evereld,  "  I  should  have  thought  you  would  have  no- 
ticed." 

She  felt  intensely  irritated,  it  was  one  of  those  times 
when  a  traveller's  temper  is  put  to  the  test. 

Bruce  Wylie  did  not  mend  matters  by  his  rather  stum- 
bling apology.  She  could  not  have  explained  her  feeling, 
but  somehow  at  that  moment  she  felt  that  she  could  no 
longer  put  confidence  in  him. 

"  Well,  I  wouldn't  have  had  such  a  thing  happen  for  the 
world,"  he  said.  "  It  is  all  my  fault,  and  I'm  extremely 
sorry.  The  only  thing  to  be  done  is  to  go  back  to  the 
Hotel  Gorge  du  Trient.  We  shall  be  in  time  for  dinner, 
I  daresay.    To  the  Hotel,  driver!  " 

"  Wait,"  said  Evereld  quietly.  "  I  must  first  send  a  tele- 
gram to  Lady  Mactavish  explaining  things." 

"  Quite  right,  of  course.  I  ought  to  have  thought  of  it. 
What  a  sensible  little  woman  you  are,  Evereld." 

She  neither  smiled  nor  responded  in  any  way.  A  few 
hours  before  the  episode  would  have  troubled  her  very 
little,  but  to  be  stranded  in  this  place  with  the  man  she 
had  just  refused  was  a  situation  she  disliked  very  much. 
Behind  it  all,  too,  there  lurked  a  vague  feeling  that  she 
had  been  entrapped  into  the  drive,  that  perhaps  even 
Janet  had  guessed  what  Mr.  Wylie  meant  to  say  during 
the  course  of  this  ill-fated  expedition. 

To  do  him  justice,  Bruce  Wylie  took  good  care  to  set 
her  perfectly  at  her  ease  directly  they  arrived  at  the  hotel, 
himself  saw  the  manageress  and  explained  things  to  her, 
handing  over  Evereld  to  her  kindly  care,  and  promising 
to  meet  her  in  the  salon. 

The  Swiss  manageress  gave  her  a  pleasant  room,  and 
lent  her  all  that  she  needed,  and  when  she  went  down  to 
the  salon  a  delightful  surprise  awaited  her. 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  261 

"  Why,  Evereld  !"  said  a  familiar  voice, and  a  tall,pretty 
looking  girl  stepped  forward  with  a  warm  greeting. 

It  was  May  Coniston,  an  old  schoolfellow  who  had  left 
Southbourne  at  Easter,  and  had  come  out  to  Switzerland 
for  rest  after  the  toils  of  her  first  London  season.  She 
introduced  Evereld  to  her  mother,  and  they  listened  to 
her  description  of  the  contretemps  that  had  befallen  her, 
and  Evereld  introduced  Mr.  Wylie  to  them. 

"  It  is  most  fortunate  you  just  happened  to  come  across 
us,"  said  May  Coniston  cheerfully.  "  I  can  lend  you 
everything,  and  mother  will  be  only  too  delighted  to  take 
care  of  you.  There  is  nothing  she  enjoys  so  much  as 
looking  after  girls." 

So  in  the  end  Evereld  had  an  extremely  pleasant  even- 
ing, lost  her  heart  to  kindly  Mrs.  Coniston,  sat  up  hair- 
brushing  with  her  friend  till  after  midnight,  and  was  de- 
lighted to  have  May  for  a  companion  in  her  large,  lonely 
bedroom  where,  as  Mrs.  Coniston  remarked,  they  could 
fancy  themselves  back  at  school  once  more. 

Early  the  next  morning,  having  parted  with  the  Conis- 
tons,  who  were  going  to  Champery,  Bruce  Wylie  and  Ev- 
ereld returned  to  Glion,  arriving  Just  in  time  for  lunch. 
They  encountered  Janet  and  Minnie  in  the  entrance  hall, 
and  Evereld  went  straight  to  the  salle  a  manger  with 
them,  laughing  over  the  events  of  the  previous  day,  and 
remonstrating  with  them  for  having  deserted  her. 

"  We  all  got  into  the  train  when  it  came  up,"  explained 
Janet  calmly,  "  hoping  to  the  last  that  you  would  come 
before  it  started;  it  must  have  been  some  minutes  in  the 
station.  Mamma  was  vexed  with  us  for  coming  on,  but 
of  course  we  all  knew  you  were  safe;  your  telegram  got 
here  before  we  did." 

"  Where  is  Lady  Mactavish?  "  asked  Evereld. 

"  She  has  gone  down  to  Montreux  to  lunch  with  Lady 
Mount  Pleasant,  who  by  the  bye  has  invited  us  all  to  go 
to-morrow  to  her  picnic  at  a  place  near  the  Eochers  de 
NaA'e." 


262  WAYFARING  MEN 

Just  at  that  moment  Sir  Matthew  and  Mr.  Bruce  Wylie 
joined  them.  There  was  something  unusual  in  her  guar- 
dian's manner,  and  Evereld  wondered  what  had  brouglit 
the  cloud  to  his  brow.  It  did  not  disappear  at  all  when  he 
greeted  her,  and  had  it  not  been  for  a  talkative  German 
doctor,  who  conversed  learnedly  with  Janet,  their  party 
w^ould  have  been  an  uncomfortably  silent  one  throughout 
the  meal. 

"  I  want  a  few  words  with  you,  my  dear,"  said  Sir  Mat- 
thew, when  at  last  lunch  was  over.  "  Come  with  me  to 
our  own  sitting-room.  We  shall  not  be  interrupted  there." 

Evereld's  heart  sank. 

"  Mr.  Wylie  has  told  of  his  proposal  to  me,"  she  re- 
flected. "  And  Sir  Matthew  is  vexed  with  me  for  refusing 
his  friend." 

"  Sit  dow^n,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  motioning  her  to  a  sofa 
beside  the  wdndow,  and  wheeling  up  a  ponderous  arm- 
chair for  himself.  "I  have,  of  course, heard  from  Mr. Wylie 
of  your  very  surprising  behaviour  yesterday.  Are  you 
aware  that  you  have  refused  one  of  the  best  and  cleverest 
of  men,  a  man  too  who  has  been  encouraged  by  you  for 
the  last  month." 

"  Oh,  no,"  cried  Evereld.  "  Indeed  I  never  dreamt  of 
encouraging  him.  How  could  I  be  supposed  to  think  of 
a  man  thirty  years  older  than  I  am  as  a  lover?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  thought  about  it,  my  dear,  but 
you  did  distinctly  encourage  him.  And  everyone  here, 
and  at  Zermatt,  too,  I  beheve,  considered  it  a  case," 

"  I  am  very  sorry  if  they  thought  so,  but  it  was  a  ridicu- 
lous mistake.  I  should  never  dream  of  marrying  Mr. 
Wylie.     He  is  just  a  friend  and  nothing  more." 

"I  have  no  patience  with  this  foolish  talk  about  friends," 
said  Sir  Matthew.  "  You  ought  to  know  enough  of  the 
world  to  realise  that  it  never  puts  faith  in  friendsliips  be- 
tween men  and  women." 

"  Can  I  not  be  friends  with  an  elderly  man  like  that?  a 


IV  AY  FA  RING  MEN  263 

man  of  nearly  fifty,  who  has  known  me  since  I  was  a 
child?  "  said  Evereld  questioningly. 

"  No,  you  cannot,"  said  Sir  Matthew  decidedly.  "You 
have  encouraged  him  all  these  weeks,  and  you  must  marry 
him." 

The  tone  of  decision  would,  he  thought,  at  once  silence 
this  gentle  little  girl  with  her  innocent  blue  eyes.  He  re- 
ceived an  uncomfortable  shock  when  she  quietly  replied: 

"  Of  course,  if  it  is  really  so  I  can  avoid  Mr.  Wylie  in 
future.     But  marry  him  I  will  not." 

"  What  possible  objection  can  you  have  to  him?  "  said 
her  guardian  irritably.  "  I  can  tell  you,  he  is  a  man  that 
most  girls  would  be  proud  to  accept." 

"  But  I  do  not  love  him,"  said  Evereld. 

"  Oh,  you  have  been  reading  novels  and  have  set  up 
some  absurd  ideal  hero  unlike  any  man  who  ever  existed. 
Bruce  Wylie  is  one  of  a  thousand,  he  will  make  you  per- 
fectly happy,  and  will  save  you  from  the  infinite  misery 
of  being  run  after  for  the  sake  of  your  fortune  by  un- 
worthy men  embarrassed  by  debts." 

Evereld  laughed  a  little.  "  I  will  promise  never  to 
marry  an  unworthy  man  embarrassed  by  debts.  But 
nothing  will  make  me  marry  Mr.  Wylie." 

"  Then  it  only  remains  for  me,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  to 
tell  you  how  things  really  are.  You  must  marry  him,  my 
dear.  The  whole  place  is  talking  about  you.  Your  repu- 
tation is  at  stake.  Everyone  knows  that  you  were 
stranded  alone  with  him  last  night  at  Vernayez,  and  there 
is  only  one  way  to  prevent  a  scandal  arising.  You  must 
be  engaged  to  him  at  once,  and  you  shall  be  married  when 
we  go  back  to  London.  If  you  like  it  might  be  on  the 
same  day  that  Minnie  is  married." 

Evereld's  eyes  dilated. 

"  I  don't  understand  you,"  she  said.  "  Can  you  really 
mean  that  because  Mr.  Wylie  very  carelessly  allowed  us 
to  miss  the  train,  and  didn't  know — or — or  pretended  not 


264  WAYFARING  MEN 

to  know  that  it  was  the  last  train — that  I  should  marry 
him  because  of  that?  " 

"  Dear  child,  you  are  verj'  young  and  innocent,  and  the 
world  is  a  hard  censorious  place.  The  busy  tongues  of 
these  holiday  idlers  will  certainly  make  free  with  your 
name.  And  I  can't  permit  that.  The  best  way  to  avoid 
scandal,  the  only  way,  is  to  hasten  on  your  marriage." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Evereld.  "  But  it  is  not  Mr.  Wylie 
that  I  shall  marry." 

"  Do  you  dare  to  tell  me  that  you  are  engaged  to  any  one 
else?  "  said  Sir  Matthew. 

"  No,  I  am  certainly  not  engaged,"  said  Evereld. 
"  But  as  soon  a  I  come  of  age  I  shall  be  engaged." 

"  To  whom.  ''  said  Sir  Matthew. 

"  To  Ralph,"  she  said,  a  vivid  blush  dyeing  her  cheeks. 

"With  an  inarticulate  exclamation  of  wrath.  Sir  Mat- 
thew began  to  pace  to  and  fro. 

"  This  comes  of  adopting  beggars,"  he  said  between  his 
teeth.  At  that,  Evereld  started  to  her  feet,  and  would 
have  left  the  room  had  he  not  intercepted  her. 

"  How  long  has  this  been  going  on?  "  he  said,  angrily. 

"  I  never  knew  I  cared  for  him  like  that  until  he  had 
gone  away  more  than  a  year  ago,  when  you  brought  down 
the  news  about  his  examination." 

"Just  like  the  ungrateful  fellow,"  said  Sir  Matthew. 
"As  soon  as  he  saw  that  there  was  nothing  more  to  be  got 
out  of  me,  he  thought  to  feather  his  nest  with  your  for- 
tune." 

Evereld  struggled  hard  not  to  lose  control  over  her  tem- 
per, but  every  pulse  in  her  throbbed  indignantly  at  the 
words. 

"  I  think,"  she  said  in  a  low  voice,  "  that  money  is  the 
last  thing  any  Denmead  ever  troubled  himself  to  think 
of." 

The  words  were  so  true  that  for  a  moment  they  checked 
Sir  Matthew;  he  reflected  wrathfully  that  his  own  action 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  265 

in  turning  Ralph  out  of  his  house  somewhat  harshly  had 
brought  about  this  result  he  so  little  desired.  Up  to  that 
time  the  friendship  between  the  two  had  been  of  a  most 
brotherly  and  sisterly  character.  He  was  startled  from 
this  train  of  thought  by  a  sudden  and  wholly  unexpected 
question  from  Evereld. 

"  My  father  used  to  say  every  penny  he  had  was  invested 
in  railways — is  my  money  still  as  he  left  it?  "  she  in- 
quired. 

"  W — w — w — we  have  made  a  few  changes;  you  will 
learn  all  details  when  you  come  of  age,"  said  Sir  Matthew. 

Evereld  had  quick  perceptions.  She  had  never  heard 
her  guardian  stammer  before.  She  looked  him  through 
and  through  with  her  clear  eyes,  and  knew  that  something 
was  amiss.  He  coloured  under  her  scrutiny,  and  com- 
plaining of  the  heat  of  the  room,  pushed  the  window  wider 
open. 

"Ealph  has  good  points,"  he  said,  returning  to  the 
former  topic.  "  But  depend  upon  it,  my  dear,  this  is  an 
idle  fancy  of  yours;  he  will  fall  in  love  with  some  actress 
and  forget  all  about  you.  It  is  only  natural  that  it  should 
be  so." 

Evereld  shook  her  head. 

"  No,"  she  said.  "  He  will  wait  for  me,  and  when  he 
has  got  on  a  little  in  his  profession,  we  shall  be  engaged. 
We  might  have  been  engaged  now  only  he  was  too  honour- 
able." 

"  You  talk  just  as  one  might  expect  an  innocent  girl 
fresh  from  school  to  talk,  my  dear,"  said  Sir  Matthew. 
"  But  it  will  not  do.  Such  a  marriage  would  be  prepos- 
terous, your  father  would  never  have  allowed  it,  and  I  once 
more  repeat  that  acting  in  your  interests  I  shall  insist  on 
your  accepting  Mr.  Wylie's  offer.  You  think  me  unkind; 
believe  me,"  he  took  her  hand  and  patted  it  caressingly, 
"  I  am  not  unkind,  I  am  only  making  you  do  what  is  the 
best  possible  thing  under  the  circumstances.     You  must 


266  If  AY  FARING  MEN 

trust  me.  There  are  elements  in  the  case  you  cannot  un- 
derstand. There  is  no  safe  path  for  a  woman  but  the  part 
of  obedience  to  authority.  You  must  be  guided  by  me, 
my  dear,  you  must  recollect  that  in  all  the  years  you  have 
lived  under  my  roof  I  have  always  shown  you  kindness 
and  love,  and  you  must  try  to  believe  that  I  show  that 
kindness  now,  though  I  thwart  your  wishes  and  wed  you 
to  a  man  who  does  not  exactly  fit  in  with  your  girlish  and 
romantic  ideal.  We  will  say  no  more  now,  you  are  tired 
and  agitated.  But  within  the  next  two  days  I  shall  ex- 
pect to  receive  from  Mr.  Wylie  the  news  that  his  offer  has 
been  accepted.  Think  it  quietly  over.  I  am  convinced 
that  gome  day  you  will  thank  me  for  what  I  have  done;  ay! 
and  other  people  will  have  good  cause  to  thank  me,  too." 

lie  stooped  and  kissed  her  on  the  forehead  and  politely 
opened  the  door  for  her  in  token  that  the  interview  was 
at  an  end. 

Without  a  word  Evereld  left  the  room  and  went  slowly 
upstairs. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

"  The  tissue  of  the  Life  to  be 

We  weave  with  colours  all  our  own, 
And  in  the  field  of  destiny 
We  reap  as  we  have  sown." 

WlIITTIER. 

The  broad  staircase  was  covered  with  cocoa-nut  mattinj^, 
she  toiled  np  the  slippery  steps  feeling  dazed  and  giddy, 
groping  her  way  more  by  instinct  than  by  sight  to  her  own 
door.  Her  room  was  at  the  side  of  the  hotel,  and  its 
French  window,  opening  on  to  a  little  balcony,  looked  out 
over  the  woods  of  Veytaux  and  the  distant  turrets  of 
Chillon  to  the  Dent  du  Midi.  She  threw  herself  down 
now  into  the  depths  of  an  armchair,  letting  the  soft  air 
play  on  her  hot  cheeks,  and  staring  out  in  a  bewildered 
way  at  the  lovely  view  which  contrasted  so  strangely  with 
her  misery. 

Her  whole  world  seemed  to  be  shaken  to  its  founda- 
tion. Her  instinct  warned  her  that  the  guardian,  whose 
plausible  talk  and  apparent  kindliness  had  long  deceived 
her,  was  in  no  sense  a  man  to  be  trusted.  And  seizing  the 
clue,  which  his  own  accusations  of  others  hadfurnishedher 
with,  she  began  to  wonder  if  in  some  unaccountable  way 
Bruce  Wylie  himself  was  one  of  those  fortune-hunters, 
who  finding  themselves  in  difficulties  sought  to  repair  their 
losses  with  some  heiress'  money.  Her  clear  insight  had  at 
once  detected  the  false  ring  in  his  apologies  about  the  lost 
train  on  the  previous  day.  He  had  somehow  forfeited  her 
confidence,  and  the  more  she  thought  over  her  interview 
with  Sir  Matthew,  and  the  extraordinary  determination  he 
had  evidently  made  to  marry  her  to  his  friend,  the  more 
she  distrusted  and  dreaded  them  both.     It  might  possibly 


268  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

be  that  they  had  mismanaged  her  aflairs,  and  were  per- 
haps speculating  with  her  money.  She  had  heard  of 
many  cases  where  luckless  women  had  been  ruined  by  a 
fraudulent  trustee. 

Fortunately,  though  young  and  innocent,  Evcreld  had 
been  wisely  educated,  and  even  in  all  the  agitation  of  the 
moment  she  was  able  clearly  to  see  how  foolish  was  the 
notion  that  in  order  to  quiet  unkind  tongues,  or  to  satisfy 
the  outraged  feehngs  of  Mrs.  Grundy,  she  should  consent 
pubUcly  to  perjure  herself,  by  vowing  to  love  as  a  wife  a 
man  she  did  not  desire  to  marry. 

Sir  Matthew  and  Bruce  Wylie  had  fancied  that  a  pure- 
minded,  proud  girl  would  easily  be  frightened  into  a  mar- 
riage which  in  many  respects  was  outwardly  desirable. 
"Women  were  seldom  logical,  and  a  little  novice  like  Ev- 
ereld  could,  they  felt  sure,  be  cajoled  or  scared  or  flattered 
into  obedience  to  their  wishes.  Sir  Matthew  had  reserved 
his  direct  command  and  the  allusion  to  his  authority  as  a 
guardian  as  his  trump  card.  He  thought  because  she  had 
made  no  reply  to  this  speech  that  he  had  convinced  her. 
But  Evereld  knew  that  obedience  to  the  truth  must  al- 
ways stand  before  obedience  to  any  authority,  and  she  was 
emphatically  not  one  of  those  plastic,  weak-minded  girls 
who  furnish  victims  for  the  modern  marriage  market,  and 
allow  themselves  to  be  sacrificed  to  the  ambition  of  their 
parents. 

There  was,  however,  a  sort  of  blind  terror  in  her  mind. 
She  had  read  that  pathetic  novel  "Jasmine  Leigh,"  the 
plot  of  which  turned  on  the  forcible  abduction  of  an  heir- 
ess; and  now,  perhaps,  not  unnaturally  the  story  returned 
to  haunt  her.  Words  which  Ealph  had  spoken  as  to  Sir 
Matthew's  unscrupulous  character,  his  utter  disregard  for 
the  victims  whose  ruin  followed  the  triumphal  procession 
of  his  own  fame  and  fortune,  haunted  her,  too.  She  had 
thought  him  hard  and  uncharitable  when  he  had  spoken 
of  his  godfather,  but  his  words  had  impressed  her  never- 


WAYFARING  MEN  269 

theless,  and  she  felt  that  they  were  probably  not  far  from 
the  truth.  Like  some  trapped  animal,  she  tried  desper- 
ately to  think  what  possible  course  she  could  take.  If 
only  that  motherly  Mrs.  Coniston  had  been  in  the  hotel 
she  would  have  told  her  ail  and  asked  her  advice,  but  she 
could  hardly  put  the  case  in  a  letter,  or  travel  to  Champery 
to  see  her.  And  there  was  no  one  else  to  whom  she  couid 
turn,  unless  it  was  Mr.  Lewisham,  and  she  doubted  if  that 
would  be  a  wise  thing  to  do.  Only  a  woman  could  thor- 
oughly understand  and  help  her. 

And  then  the  old  grief  of  eight  years  ago,  to  which  she 
had  grown  more  or  less  accustomed,  came  back  to  her 
with  an  intensity  of  bitterness,  a  new  realisation  of  irre- 
parable loss.  "  Oh  Mother!  "  she  sobbed.  "  Oh  Mother! 
Mother  !" 

A  step  on  the  balcony  made  her  hastily  try  to  check  her 
tears.  Minnie's  room  was  next  to  hers,  and  the  window 
also  opened  on  to  the  little  side  balcony. 

"  Why  Evereld,"  said  a  cheerful  voice.  "  You  dear 
little  goose  !  Don't  cry.  I  know  all  about  it.  Pa])a 
has  told  me.  Don't  you  be  frightened.  It  won't  be  half 
so  bad  as  you  expect.  You'll  soon  grow  very  fond  of  Mr. 
Wylie.  And  you  shall  have  such  a  pretty  wedding  dress 
and  as  many  of  your  school  friends  as  you  like  for  brides- 
maids. You  have  no  idea  what  fun  you  will  have  choos- 
ing your  trousseau.  "We  will  stop  in  Paris  on  our  way 
home,  and  I  can  put  you  up  to  all  sorts  of  things." 

"  Don't  talk  like  that,"  said  Evereld,  her  tears  raining 
down,  as  the  utter  mockery  of  it  all  forced  itself  upon  her. 

"  Do  you  think,"  continued  Minnie,  "  that  you  are  the 
first  girl  who  has  been  obliged  to  give  up  an  early  love? 
Why  it's  my  firm  conviction  that  no  one  ever  does  marry 
a  first  love.  If  Papa  had  allowed  it  I  should  have  married 
a  lanky  curate,  and  we  should  still  be  waiting  for  the  in- 
evitable country  living  which  might  or  might  not  turn  up. 
He  put  a  stop  to  it  all.     And  I  cried  my  eyes  out  just  as 


270  WAYFARING  MEN 

you  are  doing.  But  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  him  now 
and  mean  to  be  very  happy  with  Major  Gillot.  Now  stop 
crying,  and  I  will  make  some  tea  in  my  etna,  and  later  on 
you  shall  come  out  with  us  and  do  '  gooseberry.'  " 

"  I'm  afraid  of  meeting  Mr.  Wyhe,"  objected  Evereld. 

"  Indeed  I  think  you  had  better  not  meet  him  with  your 
eyes  as  red  as  that,"  said  Minnie  with  a  laugh.  "  There's 
no  need  for  you  to  see  him  till  dinner-time,  for  he  has  gone 
down  to  Montreux  to  talk  over  the  arrangements  for  to- 
morrow with  Mamma  and  Lady  Mount  Pleasant." 

There  was  something  comforting  in  Minnie's  kindly 
manner,  though  Evereld  vehemently  dissented  in  her  own 
mind  from  all  her  arguments.  She  obeyed  her,  however, 
and  stopped  crying,  and  even  found  temporary  comfort  in 
the  afternoon  tea  which  has  a  way  of  tasting  so  supreme- 
ly good  when  made  by  oneself  abroad.  Later  on  they 
walked  down  the  Gorge  de  Chaudron,  where  already  the 
trees  were  arraying  th-emselves  in  the  lovely  tints  of  early 
autumn.  The  two  lovers  walked  a  little  ahead.  Evereld 
followed  slowly  and  thoughtfully,  regaining  her  habitual 
strength  and  quietness  of  mind  as  she  walked,  by  slow  de- 
grees. There  was  something  in  her  face  which  puzzled 
Bruce  Wylie  when  he  met  her  again  that  evening  at  din- 
ner. She  looked  older,  even  he  could  have  fancied  thin- 
ner, since  the  morning.  He  left  her  unmolested  till  the 
meal  was  over,  but  joined  her  directly  afterwards  in  the 
entrance  hall,  where  in  the  evening  people  were  wont  to 
lounge  and  chat  unceremoniously.  He  was  discussing 
thought-reading  with  a  young  American  girl  and  skilfully 
inveigled  Evereld  into  the  conversation.  In  old  times 
she  had  always  felt  an  interest  in  experiments  of  this  sort; 
to-night  she  felt  that  not  for  the  world  would  she  permit 
Bruce  Wylie  to  touch  her. 

"  Let  us  show  Miss  Upton  the  experiment  we  tried  at 
Zcrmatt,"  said  Bruce  Wylie.  "  It  was  a  brilliant  success 
there." 


WAYFARING  MEN  271 

"  I  would  rather  not  to-night,"  said  Evereld  colouring. 
"  I  am  tired." 

"  Oh,  try  just  once,"  he  said  persuasively. 

But  she  shook  her  head. 

"  I  must  appeal  to  your  guardian,"  he  said,  laughing. 
"  Sir  Matthew,  we  want  you  to  persuade  your  ward  to  do 
the  pin-finding  trick." 

Rightly  or  wrongly,  Evereld  was  convinced  that  if  she 
now  yielded  her  mind  up  to  him  he  might  abuse  his  power 
over  her  and  weaken  her  resistance  to  his  other  wishes. 
She  stood  at  bay  conscious  that  many  eyes  were  turned 
upon  her,  determined  not  to  yield,  yet  puzzled  as  to  how 
she  was  to  proceed. 

"  Why  Evereld,  dear,"  said  Sir  Matthew  in  his  hearty 
penetrating  voice,  "  of  course  you  will  oblige  us  all.  You 
are  a  capital  hand  at  this  sort  of  thing." 

She  turned  to  the  pretty  American  girl,  feeling  that  her 
only  chance  was  to  appeal  to  her.  She  seemed  a  clever, 
observant  girl,  surely  she  could  be  made  to  understand 
without  words. 

"  I  am  so  sorry,"  she  said,  "  to  be  obliged  to  say  '  no ' 
to-night.  But  I  am  tired  and  am  going  up  to  bed.  ^Yon't 
you  try  the  thought-reading?  "  Her  clear  blue  eyes 
looked  straight  into  the  bright  eyes  of  little  Miss  Upton, 
saying  as  plainly  as  eyes  could  express  the  thought,  "  Help 
me  out  of  this  dilemma."  And  the  American  responded 
instantly  to  the  appeal. 

"  I  guess  I'll  try  whether  I  can't  doitmyself,Mr.  Wylie," 
she  said,  looking  up  at  him  archly  and  holding  out  a  dainty 
handkerchief.  "  Blindfold  me  instead  of  Miss  Ewart, 
and  see  if  I'm  not  just  as  sharp  at  finding  the  pin." 

She  made  such  fun  of  the  whole  process  that  even  Bruce 
Wylie  himself  failed  to  notice  that  Evereld  calmly  walked 
up  the  broad  staircase  in  sight  of  them  all,  and  she  was 
safely  locked  into  her  room  before  any  one  had  bestowed 
a  thought  upon  her  absence. 


272  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  I  shall  always  love  American  girls  !  "  she  said  to  her- 
self. "  How  quick  she  was  to  understand,  I  only  wish  I 
could  thank  her,  but  that's  impossible.  Somehow  I  must 
get  away  from  this  place.  I  daren't  stay  longer.  If  only 
I  knew  how  best  to  escape  and  where  to  go  to!  There  is 
^Irs.  Hereford.  She  would  take  care  of  me.  But  Ireland 
is  so  far  away,  and  I  fear  they  would  overtake  me  before  I 
could  get  to  her.  Shall  I  go  to  London  and  make  Bridget 
take  me  away  to  some  quiet  little  country  place  where  no 
one  could  hear  of  us?  Or  there  is  Southbourne,  but  term 
will  not  begin  till  next  week,  and  the  whole  house  would 
be  deserted,  it  would  be  no  use  going  there."  None  of 
these  plans  seemed  very  promising.  To  whom  could  she 
turn? 

Restlessly  pacing  up  and  down  her  room,  she  prayed  for 
guidance,  and  almost  immediately  a  well-known  name 
floated  into  her  mind.  "  Why  !  "  she  exclaimed,  "  I  won- 
der I  never  thought  of  that  before." 

She  stepped  out  on  to  the  balcony,  entered  Minnie's 
room,  took  from  the  table  a  continental  Bradshaw,  and  re- 
turning once  more,  sat  down  resolutely  to  puzzle  out  a 
route  as  well  as  she  could.  It  was  no  easy  matter  for  one 
unversed  in  the  mysteries  of  railway  guides;  she  found 
herself  terribly  baffled  by  two  places  with  almost  ex- 
actly similar  names,  and  she  floundered  long  in  that 
wdlderness  of  day  trains  and  night  trains,  and  dark  and 
light  figures,  which  prove  traps  for  the  inexperienced.  If 
80  much  had  not  depended  upon  it  she  could  have  laughed 
over  her  perplexities,  but  as  it  was  she  came  perilously  near 
to  crying  over  the  Bradshaw,  and  nothing  but  dread  of 
Bruce  Wylie  and  the  thought  of  Ralph  enabled  her  to  plod 
on  until  at  last  she  had  puzzled  out  her  way  of  escape. 
The  trains  were  not  so  favourable  to  her  plans  as  she  had 
hoped.  It  was  impossible  to  leave  till  the  middle  of  the 
next  morning,  and  the  Journey  would  involve  four  or  five 
changes  of  trains,  and  a  night  at  a  hotel.  It  seemed  im- 
possible to  go  straight  through  to  her  destination. 


WAYFARING  MEN  273 

"  If  I  go  to  a  hotel,"  she  reflected,  "  I  must  have  some 
sort  of  luggage  or  they  will  suspect  me.  I  will  take  my 
little  handbag  from  here  and  some  cloak  straps  in  my 
pocket;  then  at  Geneva  I  will  buy  some  wraps  and  make 
up  a  respectable-looking  bundle." 

By  this  time  her  hopes  bad  revived  and  her  courage  had 
returned.  She  put  back  the  Bradshaw  in  Minnie's  room, 
closed  her  shutters,  bolted  her  window  and  began  to  make 
her  preparations  in  a  thoughtful,  womanly  way. 

Fortunately  she  had  had  no  expenses  in  Switzerland, 
and  still  carried  about  her  the  eighteen  five  pound  notes 
which  Bridget  had  counselled  her  not  to  leave  behind.  In 
her  purse  she  had  also  an  English  sovereign  and  a  little 
Swiss  silver  money.  "  I  need  not  change  a  note  till  I  get 
to  Geneva,  that  is  a  comfort,"  she  reflected,  and  having 
carefully  destroyed  all  her  letters  and  packed  a  few  ne- 
cessaries into  her  bag,  she  crept  to  bed  and  did  her  best  to 
sleep,  but  not  very  successfully. 

The  next  morning  she  could  most  truthfully  plead  a 
headache  as  an  excuse  for  not  attending  Lady  Mount 
Pleasant's  picnic,  indeed  she  remained  in  bed;  and  looked 
so  white  and  tired  when  Janet  and  Minnie  came  to  see  her 
that  they  reported  her  as  quite  unfit  for  the  expedition, 
and  only  in  a  state  to  be  left  quiet  and  alone. 

"  Well,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  with  a  look  of  annoyance, 
"it  can't  be  helped.  She  will  be  right  enough  to-mor- 
row when  her  decision  is  made  and  everything  has  settled 
down  quietly." 

Bruce  Wylie,  who  had  fully  intended  to  settle  matters 
during  the  course  of  that  day,  was  forced  to  acquiesce,  and 
since  Lady  Mount  Pleasant  and  her  contingent  had  ar- 
rived from  Montreux,  and  the  carriages  were  at  the  door, 
there  was  no  time  for  further  discussion. 

Evereld  stole  to  her  window  as  soon  as  she  heard  the 
sound  of  wheels  and  just  caught  a  sideway  glimpse  of  the 
picnic  party  driving  off.    Then  in  breathless  haste  she 


474  WAYFARING  MEN 

dressed,  put  a  letter  which  she  had  written  to  Sir  Matthew 
on  the  previous  night  in  a  place  where  it  would  quickly  be 
found,  bolted  her  door  on  the  inner  side,  stepped  out  of  the 
window  and  closed  both  it  and  the  jalousies  behind  her 
and  went  through  Minnie's  room  to  the  corridor  beyond. 
A  chambermaid  was  sweeping  the  matting,  she  smiled  in 
a  friendly  fashion  and  asked  if  mademoiselle  was  better." 

"  I  still  have  a  headache,"  said  Evereld,  "  and  am  going 
out  of  doors.  If  you  see  Miss  Mactavish  to-night  when 
she  returns,  please  say  I  do  not  wish  to  be  disturbed." 

She  ran  quickly  down  the  stairs,  encountering  nobody; 
in  the  bureau  she  caught  sight  of  the  manager's  head,  but 
he  had  his  back  turned  to  the  door  and  did  not  see  her,  he 
was  giving  out  a  library  book  to  an  old  lady  who  was  ac- 
counted the  greatest  gossip  in  Glion.  Mercifully  she,  too, 
was  absorbed  and  did  not  look  up. 

Evereld  walked  quietly  through  the  garden;  over  her 
dark  blue  serge  dress  she  wore  a  little  blue  capuchin  cape 
with  red-lined  hood,  her  sailor  hat,  and  long  gauze  tra- 
velling veil  were  of  the  quietest.  She  was  beginning  to 
hope  that  she  should  encounter  none  of  the  people  stay- 
ing in  the  hotel  when,  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the 
cable  railway  station,  she  came  across  Dick  Lewisham  and 
little  Miss  Upton. 

"  Are  you  better?  "  said  the  American  kindly.  "  Your 
friends  told  us  you  were  quite  knocked  up  and  could  not 
go  to  the  picnic." 

"  ;My  head  aches  still,"  said  Evereld,  "  but — but  please 
don't  tell  them  that  you  saw  me  going  out." 

It  is  almost  impossible  for  a  naturally  open  and  truth- 
ful person  to  carry  out  a  secret  scheme  without  some  con- 
fidante. Evereld  liked  and  trusted  both  these  acquaint- 
ances, and  she  yielded  to  that  craving  for  sympathy,  that 
longing  for  straightforward  speech  which  was  perhaps 
more  natural  than  strictly  prudent. 

"  I  could  not  go  to  the  picnic  because  I  must  avoid  Mr. 


WAYFARING  MEN  275 

Wylie,"  she  said  in  a  low  voice.  "  My  guardian  is  trying 
to  force  me  to  marry  him,  and  I  mean  to  escape  to  other 
friends  who  will  take  care  of  me." 

"  Did  I  not  tell  you  how  it  would  be?  "  said  Dick  Lew- 
isham. 

"Yes,"  she  faltered,  "you  were  quite  right;  and  now 
there  is  nothing  for  me  to  do  but  to  get  away  at  once." 

"  Remember,"  he  said,  "  that  you  promised  to  ask  my 
help  if  you  were  in  any  difficulty." 

"  Yes,"  said  Evereld.  "  Perhaps  now  you  would  just 
take  my  ticket  to  Territet." 

"  Let  us  all  come  down  to  Territet  together,"  said  Miss 
Upton,  "  it  will  be  less  noticeable  than  your  going  quite 
alone." 

Before  many  minutes  were  passed  the  three  were  gli- 
ding down  the  steep  incline,  and  Evereld  grew  light 
hearted  to  think  that  the  difficult  first  step  had  proved  so 
successful. 

"  Are  you  sure,"  said  Dick  Lewisham,  "  that  you  can 
get  to  your  friends  without  difficulty?  " 

"  Quite  sure,  thank  you,"  she  said  bravely. 

"  We  will  not  ask  you  a  single  question  beyond  that," 
he  continued,  "  for  the  less  we  know  the  better.  If  they 
put  us  through  any  very  severe  catechism,  the  utmost  we 
will  admit  is  that  you  were  in  the  hotel  garden  before  lunch 
this  morning." 

"It's  quite  a  romance,"  said  little  Miss  Upton,  rub- 
bing her  hands  with  satisfaction,  "  and  as  I  shall  want  to 
have  the  third  volume,  please  send  it  over  to  me  at  Boston 
as  soon  as  it's  complete.     There's  my  card." 

"  I  will  be  sure  to  write,"  said  Evereld,  "  and  thank  you 
so  very  much  for  helping  me,  both  last  night  and  this 
morning,  too.     I  shall  never  forget  you." 

They  walked  a  little  way  beyond  the  station  in  the  di- 
rection of  Montreux  until  they  reached  a  confectioner's. 

"  I  am  going  in  here  to  get  some  food  for  my  journey," 


276  IV AY  FARING  MEN 

said  Evereld,  "  I  Tvdll  wish  you  good  bye; "  she  gave  her 
hand  to  each  of  them,  shyly  thanked  Dick  Lewisham  for 
liis  help,  and  entered  the  shop, 

"  End  of  the  second  volume,"  said  Miss  Upton  with  a 
comical  expression  on  her  bright  face.  "  Nothing  re- 
mains for  us,  Mr.  Lewisham,  but  to  kill  time  by  a  row  on 
the  lake.  Take  me  to  see  Chillon;  nothing  but  an  old 
and  venerable  castle  will  fill  up  this  awful  blank,  or  rouse 
my  interest." 

"  Oh,  we  shall  have  some  good  fun  to-night  or  to-mor- 
row morning,"  said  Dick  Lewisham,  "  Messrs.  Wylie  and 
Mactavish  will  furnish  us  with  some  capital  sport.  I  only 
hope  no  harm  will  happen  to  that  brave  little  girl." 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

"  But,  by  all  thy  nature's  weakness, 
Hidden  faults  and  follies  known, 
Be  thou,  in  rebuking-  evil, 
Conscious  of  thine  own. 

•  ••••• 

"  So,  when  thoughts  of  evil-doers 
Waken  scorn,  or  hatred  move, 
Shall  a  mournful  fellow-feeling- 
Temper  all  with  love." 

Whittier. 

Lady  Mount  Pleasant's  picnic  proved  a  successful 
•affair,  and  Sir  Matthew  prevailed  on  her  to  dine  with  them 
at  the  Eigi  Vaudois  on  her  way  home.  Minnie,  running 
upstairs  to  change  her  dress  after  the  gong  had  sounded, 
had  scant  time  to  think  of  Evereld,  she  rang  for  hot  water 
and  flew  about  her  room  making  the  hastiest  of  toilettes, 
it  was  only  as  the  chambermaid  was  Just  closing  the  door 
tliat  she  called  after  her. 

"  Marie  !  Wait  a  moment.  ■  Have  you  seen  Miss 
Ewart?    Is  she  better?  " 

"  I  have  seen  her,  Mademoiselle,  and  she  still  has  mi- 
graine," said  the  chambermaid. 

"  Well  see  that  she  has  all  she  needs,"  said  Minnie  hur- 
riedly pinning  a  cluster  of  roses  in  her  dress. 

*'  Yes,  Mademoiselle.  But  she  left  word  expressly  that 
she  did  not  want  to  be  disturbed." 

"  Ah,  then  I  will  not  go  in,"  said  Minnie,  flying  along 
the  corridor,  and  running  downstairs. 

"  But  I  will  Just  ask  if  the  pauvre  petite  would  like  a 
tisane  ? "  reflected  the  chambermaid  knocking  at  Ever- 
eld's  door.  "  No  response  !  'Tis  strange,  I  will  knock 
again.     Mademoiselle  !     It  is  I,  Marie.     Well,  'tis  use- 


278  WAYFARING  MEN 

less  to  wait.  Without  doubt  she  sleeps.  These  English 
are  always  heavy  sleepers,  and  after  all,  sleep  is  tlie  best 
cure  for  la  migraine." 

But  next  morning  when  to  repeated  knocks  there  was 
still  no  answer,  Marie  began  to  feel  anxious.  She  con- 
sulted Miss  Mactavish. 

"  Miss  Ewart  often  goes  out  early  in  the  morning.  I 
expect  she  has  locked  her  door  and  taken  her  key  to  the 
bureau,''  was  Minnie's  matter-of-fact  solution  of  the  pro- 
blem. 

"  No,  Mademoiselle,  the  key  is  not  in  the  bureau.  It  is 
on  the  inside  of  the  door.  I  fear  Mademoiselle  must  be 
very  ill." 

"Well,  we  can  soon  find  out,"  said  Minnie,  opening  her 
window  and  stepping  on  to  the  balcony. 

To  unbolt  tlie  jalousies  and  open  Evereld's  French 
window  was  the  work  of  a  minute,  but  Minnie  gave  a 
gasp  of  surprise  when  she  found  the  room  quite  empty, 
llemembering  however  the  curious  eyes  of  the  chamber- 
maid she  controlled  herself. 

"  Perhaps  she  is  with  Lady  Mactavish,  I  will  see,"  she 
exclaimed,  and  hastily  ran  down  to  the  next  floor  in 
search  of  her  father.  She  found  him  in  their  private  sit- 
ting-room, writing  letters,  and  quickly  told  her  discovery. 

"  Can  the  child  have  been  so  foolish  as  to  run  away,"  he 
exclaimed  in  dismay.  "  Well  she  can't  have  gone  far,  that 
is  one  comfort;  we  shall  soon  track  her.  I  will  come  up 
with  you  and  see  if  we  can  find  any  clue.  Run  on  first 
and  tell  the  maid  it  is  all  right  and  get  her  out  of  the  way." 

He  followed  more  leisurely,  and  passing  through  his 
daughter's  room  went  by  the  balcony  to  Evereld's  de- 
serted chamber. 

"  The  bed  lins  been  slept  in,"  he  remarked  in  a  tone  of 
satisfaction,  "  she  has  not  gone  far." 

It  did  not  occur  to  him  that  it  had  never  been  made  on 
the  previous  day,  that  was  just  one  of  those  small  points  of 


IV  AY  FARING   MEN  279 

detail  which  would  escape  an  ordinary  man.  Minnie  in- 
stantly thought  of  it,  but  she  held  her  tongue,  and  began 
hurriedly  to  see  what  clothes  Evereld  had  taken  with  her. 

"Her  little  travelling  bag  has  gone/'  she  said,  ''and 
her  hat  and  cloak.  See,  too,  here  is  a  letter  just  inside 
her  portmanteau  directed  to  yon.  Papa." 

Sir  Matthew  who  began  to  look  seriously  disturbed  tore 
open  the  letter  and  hastily  read  the  following  lines  : — 

"  My  Dear  Sir  Matthew  : 

"  Nothing  will  induce  me  to  marry  Mr.  Wylle,  and  as  you 
insist  on  my  accej^ting  his  proposal  within  the  next  two 
days,  and  refuse  to  pay  any  heed  to  what  I  say  as  to  my 
future  marriage  with  Italph,  you  force  me  to  act  for  mj'self. 
Please  do  not  be  anxious  about  my  safety — I  am  going 
straight  to  friends  who  will  take  every  care  of  me,  and  it 
will  be  useless  to  try  to  make  me  live  again  under  jour  roof. 

'■  If  you  make  any  attempt  to  force  me  back  I  shall  put 
myself  under  the  protection  of  the  Lord  Chancellor,  and 
ask  for  a  thorough  investigation  of  my  affairs.  My  love 
to  Lady  Mactavish  and  Minnie.  I  am  sorry  to  vex  you  all, 
but  you  have  left  me  no  alternative. 

"  Yours  affly, 

Evereld  Ewart." 

He  handed  the  letter  to  his  daughter,  and  paced  the 
room,  dumb  for  the  time  with  anger  and  surprise. 

"  Where  can  she  have  gone?  "  said  Minnie.  "  And  how 
on  earth  can  we  hush  it  up  here?  " 

"  Easily  enough,"  said  her  father  with  contempt  in  his 
tone,  "  say  that  she  has  joined  some  friends  in  Montreux, 
and  we  can  all  leave  to-morrow.  Indeed  I  shall  go 
straight  home  to-day  and  track  her  out.  Little  minx! 
Who  would  have  thought  her  capable  of  such  resistance! 
A  little  blue-eyed  slip  of  a  girl,  who  had  hardly  a  word  to 
say  for  herself  !  " 

He  turned  away  in  search  of  Bruce  Wylie,  and  was  glad 
to  see  that  his  friend  was  shocked  and  perplexed  by  the 
news.  To  do  the  lawyer  justice  he  was  really  anxious 
about  Evereld's  safety. 


28o  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Upon  my  soul,  Mactavish,  it's  an  ugly  business,"  he 
said  uneasily,  "  a  young  girl  fresh  from  school,  innocent 
and  ignorant  and  quite  unprotected,  crossing  Europe 
alone  !  I  hope  to  goodness  she  has  gone  to  those  friends 
of  hers  at  Champery.  I  will  set  off  this  morning  and  see. 
She  would  naturally  think  of  them." 

"  It's  possible,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  with  a  look  of  relief. 
"  You  go  there,  and  I  will  go  straight  to  London  making 
close  inquiry  all  along  the  route.  Perhaps  we  may  be 
able  to  learn  something  from  the  people  in  the  hotel  with- 
out rousing  their  curiosity  too  much.  We  must  avoid 
getting  the  girl  talked  about.     That  would  be  fatal." 

"  It's  a  hateful  business,"  said  Bruce  Wylie  frowning, 
"  I  wish  I  had  never  meddled  with  it." 

"  There  was  more  in  the  child  than  we  dreamt  of,"  said 
Sir  Matthew.  "  She  was  quiet  and  gentle  and  affection- 
ate and  I  never  thought  it  possible  she  would  show  so 
stubborn  a  front.  Look  at  the  letter.  Why  old  Ewart 
himself  might  have  penned  it.  As  ill  luck  would  have  it, 
she  heard  the  day  before  yesterday  that  changes  have  been 
made  as  to  the  investment  of  her  money,  and  I  fear  she 
suspects  that  all  is  not  right.  How  on  earth  she  came  to 
know  anything  about  the  Lord  Chancellor  and  her  power 
of  appeal  to  him  I  can't  conceive." 

"  Probably  through  '  Tolantho'  and  the  '  such  a  sus- 
ceptible Chancellor,' "  said  Bruce  Wylie  with  a  mirthless 
laugh,  or  through  some  of  her  beloved  Charles  Dickens' 
novels.  The  fact  is,  ]\Iactavish,  we  educate  our  girls  now- 
a-days,  but  expect  them  to  remain  fools.  Unless  we  can 
track  Evereld,  and  force  her  to  obey  you,  she  has  the  game 
in  her  own  hands.  Great  Heaven  !  just  think  of  it  !  That 
little  girl  can  absolutely  ruin  our  career,  can  give  the  pin- 
prick which  will  burst  the  whole  bubble." 

It  was  exasperating  to  the  last  degree,  and  to  men  who 
had  always  taken  the  lowest  view  of  womanhood,  it  was 
wholly  perplexing.     They  went  down  to  the  salle  a  man- 


WAYFARING  MEN  281 

ger  trying  to  look  unconcerned,  but  Miss  Upton's  keen 
eyes  read  their  perturbation. 

She  enjoyed  it  hugely. 

"  I  guess  you  had  a  good  time  yesterday  up  at  the  Roch- 
ers  de  Naye?  "  she  said  blithely. 

"  Very,  thank  you,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  though  we 
were  all  disappointed  that  my  ward  was  not  with  us. 
Have  you  seen  anything  of  her?  " 

The  American  girl  met  his  keen  gaze  without  flinching 
in  the  least. 

"  She  was  in  the  garden  for  a  little  while  yesterday." 

"  Ah,  indeed,"  Sir  Matthew  was  all  on  the  alert.  "  Did 
you  have  any  talk  with  her?  " 

"  Well — I  inquired  after  her  headache,"  said  Miss  Up- 
ton casually.  "How  is  she  this  morning?"  and  with 
perfect  sangfroid  she  began  to  eat  an  egg  American  fash- 
ion, a  proceeding  which  she  well  knew  would  make  Sir 
Matthew  shudder. 

"  Thank  you,  she  is  better,"  he  said,  taking  refuge  in 
his  cup  of  coffee. 

"  I'm  so  glad,"  said  Miss  Upton  sweetly.  "  We  must 
have  some  more  thought-reading  this  evening,  Mr.  Wylie. 
Perhaps  ]\Iips  Ewart  will  be  able  to  show  me  the  experi- 
ment you  were  speaking  of  the  other  night.  You  are  al- 
wa3^s  successful  with  her,  are  you  not?  " 

Dick  Lewisham  at  an  adjoining  table  bent  low  over 
his  newspaper  to  hide  his  amusement. 

"  Unfortunately,"  said  the  solicitor,  "  we  are  obliged  to 
leave  to-day,  or  it  would  have  given  me  the  greatest  plea- 
sure." 

"  What  a  mistake  to  leave  just  when  we  are  all  such  a 
nice,  congenial  party,"  said  the  American.  "  Is  !Miss 
Ewart  really  fit  to  go?  She  looked  so  white  and  ill  when 
I  saw  her  yesterday." 

"  She  has  been  travelling  about  in  Switzerland  some 
time,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  and  will,  I  think,  be  glad  to 
settle  down  at  home." 


282  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

"  I  can  understand  that,"  said  Miss  Upton.  "  I  don't 
think  the  hotel  life  was  quite  congenial  to  her.  Now,  we 
Americans  are  brought  up  to  live  in  public  from  our  child- 
hood, it's  second  nature  to  us,  and  we  are  accustomed  to 
so  much  more  liberty  than  you  allow  your  girls.  I  sup- 
pose though  your  English  girls  are  much  more  tractable 
and  obedient  than  we  are." 

Sir  Matthew  winced. 

"  Comparisons  are  odious,"  said  Bruce  Wylie,  with 
ready  politeness,  and  after  a  very  scanty  breakfast  the  two 
men  retired  discomforted,  while  Dick  Lewisham  and  the 
bright-eyed  American  enjoyed  a  quiet  laugh  at  their  ex- 
pense. 

To  get  any  clue  as  to  Evereld's  movements  seemed  im- 
possible, and  Sir  Matthew  did  not  care  to  put  the  matter 
into  the  hands  of  the  police,  or  to  employ  a  private  detec- 
tive. In  his  own  mind  he  felt  convinced  that  Evereld  had 
gone  to  England,  and  he  travelled  home  with  the  ut- 
most speed,  having  first  telegraphed  to  his  confidential 
clerk  to  meet  him  at  Victoria  by  the  boat  train  on  the  fol- 
lowing afternoon. 

"  All  well  I  hope,  sir,"  said  Smither,  the  clerk,  as  Sir 
Matthew  gave  him  a  pleasant  greeting. 

"  Quite,  thank  you;  did  you  get  that  address?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  and  the  clerk  handed  him  a  paper.  "  Da 
Costa  the  agent  gave  it  me." 

On  the  paper  were  inscribed  the  words,  "  ^lacneillie's 
Company,  September  20-27,  Theatre  Royal.    Rilchester." 

Sir  Matthew  promptly  detached  a  key  from  his  ring  and 
handed  it  to  Smither. 

"  Just  see  my  portmanteau  through  the  Custom 
House,"  he  said,  "  I  must  catch  the  next  train  at  King's 
Cross,  and  will  only  take  my  bag  with  me." 

He  drove  off",  but  took  the  precaution  of  calling  at  the 
house  in  Queen  Anne's  Gate  that  he  might  see  whether 
any  clue  as  to  Evereld's  movements  was  to  be  had  from 


WAYFARING  MEN  283 

Geraghty  or  Bridget.  Tlieir  entire  ignorance  was  how- 
ever so  transparent,  and  Bridget's  inquiries  after  her 
young  mistress  were  so  natural  that  he  went  of?  to  King's 
Cross  more  certain  than  ever  that  Evereld  had  avoided 
London  and  had  gone  straight  to  her  lover.  He  dined  in 
the  train,  arrived  at  Rilchester  soon  after  ten  o'clock  that 
evening,  took  up  his  quarters  at  the  Station  Hotel,  and 
sent  a  messenger  to  the  stage  door  of  the  theatre  to  in- 
quire as  to  Ralph  Denmead's  address,  being  careful  to 
avoid  giving  his  name.  "When  however  he  had  obtained 
what  he  wanted  and  after  some  trouble  had  discovered 
the  quiet  street  to  which  he  had  been  directed,  it  was 
only  to  find  that  Ralph  was  still  at  the  theatre. 

"  He'll  not  be  back  for  at  least  another  half  hour,"  said 
the  landlady.    "  Can  I  give  him  any  message?  " 
"  I  had  better  come  in  and  wait,"  said  Sir  Matthew. 
The  landlady  hesitated  a  moment,  but  being  impressed 
as  most  people  were  by  Sir  Matthew's  manner  and  bearing, 
she  admitted  him  and  showed  him  into  a  fairly  comfort- 
able room  where  the  supper-table  was  laid  for  two  people. 
"  I  have  caught  them,"  said  Sir  Matthew  to  himself 
with  an  inward  chuckle  of  satisfaction.     "  The  little  fool 
with  her  grand  talk  of  the  Lord  Chancellor's  protection  ! 
She  has  ruined  her  case  now.     We  shall  have  a  scene,  that 
can't  be  helped.     All's  well  that  ends  well." 

Picking  up  a  newspaper  he  installed  himself  comfort- 
ably in  an  armchair,  and  awaited  Ralph's  return.  Pre- 
sently steps  were  heard  outside,  the  street  door  was  opened, 
and  two  people  entered  the  passage,  he  put  down  his  paper 
and  listened.  The  voice  speaking  was  certainly  Ralph's. 
"  It's  the  worst  house  we  have  had  this  week,  there 
weren't  a  dozen  people  in  the  Stalls.  Ah  !  I  see  there's 
a  note  for  you  here." 

There  followed  sounds  as  of  the  opening  of  an  envelope 
and  then  the  door  handle  turned,  and  Sir  Matthew  looked 
up  expectantly.    Instead  however  of  his  runaway  ward, 


284  WAYFARING  MEN 

tliere  entered  a  middle-aged  man  intently  reading  an  open 
letter;  for  a  moment  Sir  Matthew  failed  to  recognise  the 
tired  and  rather  despondent  face,  then  it  flashed  upon  him 
that  this  must  be  Hugh  Macneillie.  He  moved  somewhat 
uneasily,  and  the  actor  recalled  to  the  present,  lifted  his 
eyes  from  the  letter  and  looked  at  him  in  mute  astonish- 
ment. 

"  I  called  to  see  Mr.  Denmead,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  and 
at  that  moment  Ealph  blithe  and  cheerful  as  ever  came 
into  the  room  giving  an  astonished  exclamation  as  he 
caught  sig'ht  of  his  godfather.  He  greeted  him  however 
with  all  proper  formality  and  introduced  Macneillie. 
There  was  a  momentary  pause  after  that;  the  situation 
was  somewhat  embarrassing. 

"  I  hope  Evereld  is  well?  "  he  said,  chiefly  for  the  sake 
of  breaking  the  silence. 

"  I  have  come  here  to  make  inquiries  about  Evereld," 
said  Sir  Matthew  grimly.  "  Have  the  goodness  to  tell  me 
at  once  where  she  is." 

"  Is  she  not  in  Switzerland  with  Lady  Mactavish?  "  said 
Ralph,  astonishment  and  anxiety  plainly  to  be  seen  in  his 
face. 

"  My  good  fellow,  I  know  you  are  an  actor,  but  spare 
me  this  private  exhibition,"  said  Sir  Matthew  waving  his 
hand  in  the  old  manner.  "  You  know  that  she  has  sought 
refuge  with  you,  and  the  sooner  you  give  her  up  to  her 
lawful  guardian  the  better  it  will  be  for  you  both." 

"I  think  you  must  have  gone  out  of  your  mind,"  said 
Ralph,  fuming.  "  How  should  I  know  anything  of  Ever- 
eld's  movements?  She  is  unfortunately  under  your  pro- 
tection till  she  is  of  age.  Do  you  mean  that  you  have  lost 
her?  " 

"  Yes,  that  is  exactly  what  T  do  mean,  "  said  Sir  Mat- 
thew wrathfully.  "  She  merely  left  a  letter  behind  her 
saying  that  she  had  gone  to  friends  who  would  take  care 
of  her,  and  she  had  had  the  audacity  on  the  previous  day 


WAYFARING  MEN  285 

to  tell  me  with  her  own  lips  that  she  would  never  marry 
any  one  but  you." 

"  She  is  gone?  "  said  Ralph  in  horror.     "  But  where?  " 

"That  is  precisely  what  I  want  to  learn  from  you?'"' 
said  Sir  Matthew  with  a  cold  sarcastic  smile. 

"  You  brute!  "  said  Ealph  beside  himself  with  passion. 
"  How  can  you  torture  me  like  this?  Tell  me  when  she 
left  you,  and  why?  You  must  have  treated  her  shame- 
fully, or  she  would  never  have  taken  such  a  step." 

"  You  don't  impose  upon  me  in  the  least  by  all  this 
tragedy  acting,"  said  Sir  Matthew.  "  I  am  satisfied  that 
you  know  quite  well  where  she  is.  Probably  she  is  in  this 
house." 

Ealph  seemed  on  the  point  of  springing  at  his  torturer's 
throat,  when  Macneillie  laid  a  strong  hand  on  liis  shoulder 
and  drew  him  back. 

"  My  dear  boy,  leave  this  to  me  "  he  said.  "  Surely  Sir 
Matthew,  you  cannot  seriously  believe  that  we  know  any- 
thing of  Miss  Ewart's  movements?  From  the  little  I 
know  of  her  I  should  imagine  she  was  far  too  right-minded 
and  sensible  to  dream  of  attempting  to  seek  refuge  with 
her  lover.  I  saw  her  once  or  twice  in  August  when  she 
was  staying  with  Mrs.  Hereford  at  Southbourne,  and  was 
struck  by  her  quiet  common-sense." 

Sir  Matthew  was  obliged  to  alter  his  tone,  for  he  saw  at 
once  that  there  was  force  in  what  Macneillie  said. 

"  She  told  me  she  had  met  you  at  Southbourne.  I  sup- 
pose it  was  there,  Ralph,  that  you  had  the  presumption  to 
ask  her  to  marry  you?  " 

Ealph  had  by  this  time  recovered  his  self-control,  he 
replied  with  a  sort  of  quiet  dignity  which  Sir  Matthew  re- 
sented much  more  than  the  outburst  of  anger, 

"  It  was  there  that  I  told  her  I  hoped  some  day  to  work 
my  way  up  in  the  profession.  It  was  there  I  learnt  that 
our  love  was  mutual.  Surely  she  will  have  gone  to  Mr?. 
Hereford  for  protection.  That  would  be  her  most  natural 
impulse." 


286  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Well,  I  had  not  thouglit  of  that.  Are  the  Ilerefords 
in  London?-'^  said  Sir  Matthew,  feeling  that  there  was  a 
good  deal  of  sense  in  the  suggestion. 

"  No,  they  will  not  be  back  till  Parliament  meets,  but  I 
know  their  address  in  County  Wicklow,  and  will  telegraph 
to  them  to-morrow." 

Sir  Matthew  frowned:  it  galled  him  terribly  to  feel  that 
he  was  helpless. 

"  After  all,"  he  exclaimed.  "  She  may  have  had  the 
sense  to  go  to  her  old  Governess  in  Germany.  She  would 
be  far  more  likely  to  confide  in  her  than  in  Mrs.  Hereford. 
I  will  telegraph  to  Dresden  and  inquire." 

"  And  when  you  have  learnt  where  she  is  what  do  you 
propose  to  do?  "  said  Ealph. 

"  Fetch  her  home,  of  course,  and  make  her  realise  what 
people  think  of  such  escapades." 

Kalph  seemed  about  to  reply  but  he  checked  himself. 

"  Did  you  imagine  I  was  going  to  let  her  set  me  at  defi- 
ance? "  said  Sir  ]\Iatthew.  "  Do  you  think  a  girl  of  nine- 
teen will  get  the  better  of  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph,  quietly.     "  I  think  she  will." 

Sir  Matthew  laughed  maliciously  and  rose  to  go. 

"  You're  a  true  Denmead,"  he  said.  "  Always  san- 
guine, always  foolish  and  unpractical.  Well,  good-night, 
Mr.  Macneillie.  I  am  sorry  to  have  inflicted  this  visit  on 
you.  Good-night  Ralph.  Let  me  know  at  the  Station 
Hotel  as  soon  as  you  get  a  reply  from  the  Herefords." 

Ralph  showed  him  to  the  door  in  silence,  and  returning 
to  the  sitting-room,  flung  himself  down  in  a  chair  by  the 
supper-table,  and  buried  his  face  in  his  hands. 

"  What  can  I  do  !  "  he  groaned.  "  Surely  there  must 
be  something  I  could  do  for  her." 

"Eat  boy,  eat,"  said  Macneillie  in  his  genial  voice. 
"  You  ean't  think  to  any  purpose  when  you  are  dog-tired 
and  as  hungry  as  a  hunter.  All  very  well  for  Sir  Matthew 
to  come  in  here  and  rant  at  half  past  eleven  when  he  had 


WAYFARING  MEN  2S7 

dined  luxuriously  at  eight,  but  for  strolling  players,  who 
feed  at  four  and  work  like  galley  slaves  all  the  evening,  it's 
not  so  easy." 

While  he  talked,  he  had  been  carving  cold  beef,  and 
Ealph  who  at  the  best  of  times  was  a  small  supper  eater, 
and  had  never  felt  less  inclined  for  a  meal,  found  himself 
forced  to  begin  whether  he  would  or  not. 

"  Here's  a  salad  that  I  mixed  this  afternoon  after  Syd- 
ney Smith's  own  receipt,"  said  Macneillie.  "  It  would  be 
sudden  death  to  most  men  of  this  generation  close  upon 
midnight  but  it's  the  reward  of  hard  work  to  acquire  the 
digestion  of  the  ostrich  and  to  sleep  the  sleep  of  the  right- 
eous." 

He  talked  on  much  in  the  way  he  had  talked  long  ago 
in  the  Pass  of  Leny  when  he  had  helped  Ealph  along  the 
road  to  Kilmahog;  it  was  the  sort  of  conversation  which 
did  not  demand  much  response,  but  never  failed  to  hold 
the  hearer's  attention,  because  it  was  racy  and  humourous. 
But  by  and  bye  when  they  had  lighted  their  pipes,  he  re- 
verted to  Sir  Matthew's  visit. 

"  Curious  man,  that  ex-guardian  of  yours,"  he  said  mu- 
singly. "  I  am  not  surprised  that  you  two  never  hit  it  off. 
I  wonder  what  it  was  that  drove  little  ^Miss  Ewart  to  take 
such  a  decided  step." 

"  I  am  certain  it  was  some  question  of  marriage,"  said 
Ealph.  "  Probably  he  wanted  that  brute  Wylie  to  have 
the  control  of  her  fortune.  I  have  always  detested  that 
man.  Governor  !  What  am  I  to  do?  Will  you  spare 
me  for  a  week  and  let  me  see  if  I  can  help  her?  " 

"  No,  my  dear  boy,  I  will  not  do  anything  of  the  sort," 
said  Macneillie  resolutely,  yet  with  a  most  kindly  look  in 
his  eyes.  "  I  know  it's  a  hard  thing  for  you  to  stay  here 
and  go  on  with  your  work  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  and 
while  all  the  time  you  are  sick  with  anxiety,  but  it's  what 
we  all  of  us  have  to  put  up  with  now  and  again.  Besides, 
you  could  do  no  good  and  you  might  do  great  harm. 


288  WAYFARING  MEN 

Those  who  know  Miss  Ewart  best  are  the  ones  who  ought 
to  have  most  confidence  in  her  womanly  wisdom.  De- 
pend upon  it  she  is  perfectly  safe.  Such  a  quiet,  well-hred 
girl  as  that  might  go  alone  unharmed  from  one  end  of  Eu- 
rope to  the  other." 

Ealph  pushed  back  his  chair  and  paced  the  room  rest- 
lessly. "  The  suspense  is  the  intolerable  part  of  it,"  he 
said,  with  a  break  in  his  voice. 

"  I  have  good  reason  to  know  how  hard  suspense  is  to 
bear,"  said  Macneillie.  "  And  yet  it's  not  the  worst,  for 
there's  always  a  large  mixture  of  hope  in  it.  Come  let  us 
write  out  your  telegram  to  the  Heref  ords,  it  will  need  care- 
ful wording." 

The  next  day  was  Sunday,  but  the  telegraph  office  was 
open  for  two  hours  in  the  morning,  and  upon  the  stroke  of 
eight  Ralph  stood  at  the  door  with  his  message  to  Ireland. 
He  returned  again  between  half  past  nine  and  ten  and 
waited  drearily  in  the  office  for  the  reply.  But  the  deep 
bell  of  the  cathedral  boomed  out  the  hour  and  still  no 
answer  came. 

"  Open  again  between  five  and  six,  sir,"  said  the  official, 
showing  him  to  the  door.  And  Ealph,  miserably  de- 
pressed, made  his  way  to  the  cathedral.  Here  for  a  time 
he  found  comfort;  but  during  the  psalms  the  verger  ush- 
ered a  late-comer  into  the  stall  exactly  facing  him.  He 
saw  at  a  glance  that  it  was  Sir  Matthew,  and  after  that 
there  was  no  more  peace  for  him,  but  a  dire  struggle  with 
his  angry  heart. 

After  service  was  over,  Sir  Matthew  joined  him  in  the 
Close,  greeting  him  just  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

"  Did  you  telegraph  to  the  Hereford s?  "  he  asked. 

"  Yes,  but  as  yet  there  is  no  reply,"  said  Ealph. 

"  And  I  have  not  heard  back  from  Dresden.  We  shall 
both  hear  this  afternoon.  Come  and  dine  with  me  at 
eight  o'clock  and  you  shall  hear  the  result." 


WAYFARING  MEN  289 

"  Thank  you/'  said  Ralph.  "  But  we  leave  for  Not- 
tingham by  the  eight  ten." 

"  Come  to  lunch  now  then." 

But  to  sit  down  and  eat  with  the  man  who  had  wrought 
such  havoc  in  his  life  and  had  driven  Evereld  to  take  such 
a  desperate  step  was  more  than  Ralph  could  endure.  He 
excused  himself,  promising,  however,  to  come  round  at  six 
o'clock  to  the  hotel  and  report  any  news  he  might  receive 
from  Ireland.  His  face  when  he  arrived  was  not  reassur- 
ing; he  looked  pale  and  miserable. 

"  What  news?  "  said  Sir  Matthew  eagerly. 

"  None,"  said  Ralph,  handing  the  telegram  to  his  god- 
father.    The  words  struck  a  chill  to  Sir  Matthew's  heart. 

"  Know  nothing  about  her  at  all.  Imagined  she  was  in 
Switzerland  still  with  her  guardian." 

"  I  have  had  a  similar  one  from  Dresden,"  he  replied. 
"  She  is  not  there  and  wrote  last  nearly  a  month  ago." 

"  Is  there  any  clue  whatever  in  the  letter  she  left  be- 
hind for  you?  "  suggested  Ralph,  with  a  strong  desire  to 
see  it.  Sir  Matthew  took  from  his  breast-pocket  a  meth- 
odically arranged  packet,  and  drew  out  Evereld's  note. 

"  I  can  find  no  clue  in  it,"  he  said,  "  perhaps  yoii  may  be 
able  to  do  so." 

Ralph  eagerly  read  the  letter.  There  was  not  the 
slightest  hint  as  to  the  direction  Evereld  had  taken,  but 
something  in  the  quiet  assurance,  the  guarded,  dignified 
tone  of  the  short  note  brought  him  comfort.  It  revealed 
a  side  of  his  old  play-fellow's  character  which  had  hitherto 
lain  dormant. 

"Well,"  said  Sir  Matthew  sharply.  "You  look  re- 
lieved. What  do  you  make  of  it?  Where  do  you  think 
she  has  gone?" 

"  I  have  no  idea,"  said  Ralph.  "  The  letter  tells  noth- 
ing.    Still  she  wouldn't  have  written  so  calmly  and  con- 


290  WAYFARING  MEN 

fidently  if  her  plans  had  not  been  well  thought  out.  Ev- 
ereld  is  not  impulsive.  Perhaps  she  had  met  friends 
while  you  were  travelling  and  has  gone  to  them." 

"  No,  I  had  a  telegram  in  London  from  Bruce  Wylie 
who  went  over  to  Champery  on  purpose  to  interview  a 
school  friend  she  had  met.  She  had  heard  nothing  what- 
ever about  her.  I  shall  have  to  set  a  private  detective  to 
work." 

Ealph  flushed. 

"  You  would  surely  not  do  that?  "  he  said  quickly. 

"  Why  not  ?  I  must  find  her.  And  I  intend  to  bring 
her  back  to  my  house." 

"  Well,"  said  Ealph,  "  the  one  thing  that  remains  ab- 
solutely certain  is  that  when  Evereld  says  a  thing  she 
means  it  with  her  whole  heart.  She  will  certainly  appeal 
to  the  Lord  Chancellor,  and  I  don't  think  he  will  compel 
her  to  return  to  your  house  when  he  has  heard  the  whole 
truth."  ■ 

"  Do  you  dare  to  assert  that  I  have  not  been  in  every 
respect  a  faithful  and  kind  guardian  to  her?  I  who  was 
her  father's  oldest  friend?  " 

"  I  assert  nothing,"  said  Ealph  bitterly,  as  he  moved  to 
the  door.  "  But  I  can't  forget  what  your  friendship  for 
my  father  led  to." 

Sir  Matthew  made  no  reply,  but  turned  abruptly  to  the 
window,  the  colour  mounting  to  his  temples.  The  clo- 
sing of  the  door  and  the  sound  of  Ealph's  retreating  foot- 
steps came  as  a  relief. 

"  If  I  had  but  guessed  what  a  serpent's  tooth  that  boy 
would  prove  to  me  I  would  have  shipped  him  straight  off 
to  the  Colonies  instead  of  educating  him,"  he  thought  to 
himself.  "  I  was  weak — pitiably  weak!  It  was  the  look  of 
Denmead's  face  as  he  lay  there  dead  that  unmanned  me. 
There  was  the  ghaistly  quiet  of  the  country,  too,  and  the 
child  with  his  old-world  politeness,  and  that  old  lawyer 
with  his  suspicions.    If  I  had  only  been  sensible  enough  to 


WAYFARING  MEN  291 

stamp  out  all  sentiment  and  do  the  practical  thing  at 
once  my  plans  would  not  be  thwarted  now  by  a  chit  of  a 
girl  who  has  lost  her  heart  to  a  penniless  actor," 

His  face  grew  dark  with  anxiety  and  trouble  as  he  re- 
flected on  the  desperate  position  of  his  own  affairs  should 
Evereld  succeed  in  baffling  him. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

"  When  a  friend  asks,  there  is  no  to-morrow." 

Geokge  Herbert. 

When  Evereld  parted  with  the  kindly  American  girl 
and  Dick  Lewisham  a  sense  of  great  loneliness  for  a  time 
overwhelmed  her.  She  looked  in  a  dazed  way  at  the  vari- 
ous delicacies  displayed  in  the  prettily  arranged  shop, 
wondering  whether  she  would  ever  feel  hungry  again. 
Having  at  last  selected  some  dainty  little  meat  patties, 
and  two  crescent-shaped  rolls,  she  walked  on  to  the  next 
lialting-place  of  the  electric  tram,  and,  after  a  very  brief 
waiting,  found  herself,  to  her  great  relief,  comfortably 
installed  in  a  corner  seat  en  route  for  Vevey.  She  had 
judged  it  more  prudent  to  take  the  tram,  knowing  that 
she  would  more  easily  be  traced  had  she  gone  direct  from 
Territet  station  to  Geneva  by  the  railroad  or  by  steamer. 
When  once  they  were  safely  out  of  Montreux,  and  the  risk 
of  meeting  any  of  the  visitors  in  the  Eigi  Yaudois  was 
practically  over,  she  breathed  more  freely,  even  finding 
time  to  enjoy  the  lovely  glimpses  of  the  lake  and  the 
mountains  as  they  sped  through  Clarens  and  the  pretty 
surroundings  of  Vevey. 

Arrived  at  length  in  that  quaint  old  town,  she  was  set 
down  at  the  railway  station,  where  she  prudently  took 
her  ticket  only  as  far  as  Lausanne,  travelling  second  class 
because  she  knew  that  she  was  less  liable  to  find  herself 
alone,  and  had  heard  the  continental  saying  that  only 
fools  and  Englishmen  travel  first  class.  It  was  during 
the  twenty  minutes'  waiting  time  at  Lausanne  that  her 
perplexities  began. 


WAYFARING  MEN  293 

A  kindly  looking  P^nglish  lady,  seeing  that  she  seemed 
to  be  alone,  sat  down  beside  her  and  began  to  talk  about 
the  weather  and  the  scenery.  Finally  she  hazarded  a  di- 
rect question. 

"  Have  you  a  long  journey  before  you?  " 

"Not  very  long,"  said  Evereld,  colouring,  as  she  glanced 
inquiringly  into  her  companion's  face,  as  though  to  make 
sure  what  sort  of  person  she  was.  In  one  sense  the  look 
reassured  her,  for  the  most  suspicious  mortal  could  not 
have  credited  this  mild-faced  lady  with  evil  design,  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  she  was  evidently  one  of  those  inquisi- 
tive mortals  who  dehght  in  asking  questions,  in  season 
and  out  of  season, 

"  I  am  going  myself  to  Geneva,  if  that  is  your  direction 
we  might  perhaps  travel  together,"  said  the  lady  plea- 
santly. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Evereld,  reflecting  that  after  all  she 
could  baffle  the  questions  by  reading  when  once  they  had 
started. 

"  It  is  not  so  easy  for  a  girl  to  travel  alone  abroad  as  it 
is  in  England,"  said  her  companion,  looking  curiously  at 
Evereld's  girlish  face.  "I  almost  wonder  your  parents 
allow  it." 

"  I  have  no  parents,"  said  Evereld. 

"  Indeed,  and  have  you  been  staying  with  friends?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Evereld.  "  And  I  am  on  my  way  now  to 
some  other  friends."  Murmuring  an  excuse  she  sprang 
up  and  went  to  the  window  to  see  whether  the  train  was 
nearly  ready. 

"  This  is  dreadful,"  she  reflected.  "  If  we  talk  much 
longer  she  will  drag  the  whole  story  out  of  me.  I  will 
buy  some  papers  and  try  to  make  her  read." 

"  You  are  sure  your  luggage  is  all  right  ?  "  exclaimed 
the  good  lady  the  moment  she  returned. 

"  Quite  sure,  thank  you,"  said  Evereld,  clasping  her 
hand  bag  closer  and  trembling  lest  she  should  be  asked 
some  quite  unanswerable  question. 


294  WAYFARING  MEN 

At  length  an  official  began  vigorously  to  ring  the  great 
bell  in  the  doorn-ay  and  to  shout  the  intelligence  that 
passengei-s  for  Geneva  and  various  other  places  must  take 
their  seats. 

"Can  I  help  you?"  said  Evereld,  politely  offering  to 
take  a  basket  from  the  large  heap  of  possessions  with 
which  her  neighbour  was  surrounded.  She  was  startled 
to  feel  something  jump  inside  it  in  an  uncanny  way. 

"  Thank  you  if  you  would.  To  tell  the  truth  it  is  my 
little  dog  in  there,  but  he  is  such  a  good  traveller,  I  don't 
think  you  will  mind  him." 

"  Shall  I  say  that  I  detest  dogs  and  so  escape  to  an- 
other carriage?  "  reflected  Evereld  smiling  to  herself.  But 
on  the  whole  in  spite  of  the  tiresome  questions  she  rather 
liked  this  good  English  lady  and  found  a  certain  comfort 
in  her  presence  when  once  they  were  installed  in  the 
train.  Her  spirits  rose  as  they  travelled  further  and  fur- 
ther from  the  Mactavishs,  ^he  even  grew  hungry,  made 
short  work  of  the  provisions  she  had  bought,  parried  her 
friend's  questions  skilfully  by  counter  questions  about  the 
pet  dog  and  finally  took  refuge  in  "  Pride  and  Prejudice  " 
and  in  the  delicious  humour  of  Jane  Austen's  characters 
forgot  all  her  dangers  and  difficulties  till  the  train 
steamed  into  Geneva  station. 

"  I  suppose  your  friends  will  meet  you?  "  asked  the 
talkative  lady  as  she  fastened  the  dog  up  in  his  basket. 

"No,"  said  Evereld,  "but  I  shall  manage  very  well 
now,  thank  you,"  and  with  rather  hurried  farewells  she 
sprang  from  the  carriage  not  offering  to  carry  the  basket 
any  further  but  promising  to  send  a  porter.  Fortunately 
her  companion  was  in  such  a  bustle  with  the  effort  of 
collecting  her  various  belongings  that  she  did  not  notice 
the  English  girl's  somewhat  abrupt  departure,  and  Ever- 
eld with  a  joyful  sense  of  escape  made  her  way  to  the  out- 
Bide  of  the  station  and  getting  into  one  of  the  little  pub- 
lic carriages  drove  off  to  make  her  purchases  in  the  town. 


WAYFARING  MEN  295 

Having  bought  an  ulster  and  a  warm  shawl  which 
made  a  very  respectable  show  when  put  into  her  cloak 
straps  she  went  back  to  the  station,  dined  in  a  leisurely 
way  and  passed  the  rest  of  her  two  hours'  waiting  time 
as  patiently  as  she  could.  By  six  o'clock  she  was  safely 
in  the  train  once  more,  with  the  happy  knowledge  that 
she  had  no  more  changes  that  night,  and  would  arrive  at 
Lyons  in  rather  more  than  four  hours.  Her  heart  danced 
for  joy  as  she  reflected  that  by  the  next  afternoon  she 
might  have  safely  reached  Bride  0'R3'an  and  Aimee  Mag- 
nay,  her  greatest  friends,  in  Iklrs.  Magnay's  old  home  in 
Auvergne.  That  was  the  safe  refuge  towards  which  she 
was  steering  her  course,  that  was  the  thought  which  had 
darted  into  her  mind  on  the  previous  evening  when  she 
had  decided  that  flight  was  the  only  thing  under  the  cir- 
cumstances. 

Later  on  however  when  darkness  had  stolen  like  a  pall 
over  the  landscape,  when  weary  with  want  of  sleep  and 
worn  out  with  excitement  and  anxiety,  the  glad  sense  of 
escape  died  away,  she  grew  unutterably  sad-hearted  and 
forlorn. 

At  the  other  end  of  the  carriage  two  men  wrangled 
together  over  the  vexed  question  of  having  the  window 
open  or  shut.  A  fat  French  lady  went  to  sleep  and  snored 
monotonously,  Just  opposite  her  a  young  couple  on  their 
honevmoon  laucrhed  and  chatted  in  low  tones  with  much 
outward  demonstration,  while  beyond  a  young  mother  sat 
with  her  baby  in  her  arms,  an  air  of  placid  content  on  her 
face. 

Kever  before  had  Evereld  felt  such  a  unit,  never  be- 
fore had  she  realised  how  really  alone  she  was  in  the 
world.  She  shuddered  to  think  what  would  have  become 
of  her  if  Ealph  had  never  crossed  her  path.  And  then 
as  the  engine  throbbed  on  through  the  darkness  all  those 
terrors  of  imagining  from  which  her  healthy  uneventful 
life  had  so  far  been  exempt,  laid  strong  hold  upon  her, 
and  made  the  night  hideous. 


296  WAYFARING  MEN 

She  saw  Ealph  lying  ill  and  forlorn  in  a  fever  hospital. 
She  saw  him  lying  with  pale  lips  and  hands  folded  in  the 
awful  calm  of  death.  She  saw  herself  alone  and  broken- 
hearted, struggling  to  make  something  of  her  maimed  life 
and  failing  in  the  attempt.  She  saw  Sir  Matthew  track- 
ing her  out  and  carrying  her  back  to  the  house  in  Queen 
Anne's  Gate.  Worst  of  all  she  saw  herself  standing  in 
church  and  passively  allowing  herself  to  be  married  to 
Bruce  Wylie. 

She  had  just  reached  this  climax  in  her  miserable 
thoughts  when  as  the  train  stopped  at  the  wayside  sta- 
tion the  door  of  the  carriage  was  opened  and  in  came 
a  very  aged  priest  whose  rusty  black  raiment  had  an  old 
and  somewhat  countrified  look.  His  thin,  worn  face 
might  have  been  stern  in  youth,  but  the  passing  years 
had  mellowed  it,  and  like  Southey's  holly  tree  what  had 
once  been  sharp  and  aggressive  had  grown  tender  as  it 
more  nearly  approached  heaven.  His  keen  eyes  seemed 
to  take  in  the  occupants  of  the  carriage  in  one  glance  and 
he  at  once  divined  that  the  sad  little  English  girl  in  the 
corner  was  for  some  reason  feeling  altogether  desolate. 
He  took  the  vacant  place  beside  her  and  began  to  unwrap 
a  package  which  he  carried.  It  proved  to  be  a  cage  con- 
taining a  bullfinch,  and  Evereld  watched  with  interest 
the  scared  fluttering  of  the  bird  and  the  gentle  reassur- 
ing face  of  the  old  man  as  he  tried  to  pacify  it. 

"  It  is  its  first  journey,"  he  said  glancing  at  her.  "  The 
unaccustomed  has  terrors  for  us  all.  It  will  soon  under- 
stand that  it  is  quite  safe.  Eh,  Fifi?  Should  I  let  any  harm 
happen  to  thee,  thou  foolish  one?" 

"  Can  it  sing  any  tune?  "  said  Evereld.  "  We  had  one 
in  London  that  sang  a  bit  of  the  National  Anthem." 

"  And  Fifi  is  just  as  patriotic,"  said  the  old  priest 
laughing,  "  he  will  pipe  two  lines  of  Parfant  pour  la 
Syrie,  I  am  taking  him  to  cheer  up  one  of  my  parish- 
ioners who  is  lying  ill  at  Lyons.    He  will  think  Fifi  from 


WAYFARING  MEN  397 

the  Presbytere  almost  as  good  as  one  of  his  own  friends 
from  the  village.  And  when  the  lad  is  better  why  he  will 
bring  back  this  winged  missionary  to  me.  My  old  house- 
keeper would  not  hear  of  parting  with  Fifi  altogether,  he 
is  the  life  of  the  house  she  says." 

The  bird  growing  now  more  accustomed  to  its  strange 
surroundings  piped  cheerfully  the  familiar  air  of  the  re- 
frain 

"  Amow-  a  la  plus  belle 
Ilonneur  au  jylus  vaillant." 

"  Ah !  he  sings  better  than  ours  ever  did,"  said  Ever- 
eld  thinking  of  the  bird  Ralph  had  brought  from  Whin- 
haven. 

"  And  he  is  more  tractable  than  a  choir  boy,"  said  the 
old  priest  laughing,  "  Does  he  sing  too  loud  and  tire 
one's  head — it  is  but  to  cover  his  cage  and  he  is  as  quiet 
as  any  mouse." 

After  that  they  drifted  into  talk  about  life  in  rural 
France,  and  by  the  time  they  reached  Lyons  Evereld  felt 
that  the  old  man  had  become  quite  a  friend. 

The  other  passengers  scrambled  out  of  the  carriage 
each  intent  on  his  own  affairs,  but  the  priest  helped  her 
courteously  with  her  roll  of  cloaks. 

"  Would  you  mind  telling  me  what  is  the  best  and  most 
quiet  hotel  to  go  to?  "  she  asked.  "  I  cannot  get  on  any 
further  till  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning.  I  am  on 
my  way  to  stay  with  friends  near  Clermont  Ferrand." 

"  You  are  over  young  my  child,"  he  said,  "  to  travel 
unprotected.  But  I  know  it  is  not  in  England  as  with 
us,  the  young  demoiselles  have  greater  liberty.  The  best 
plan  will  be  for  you  to  go  to  an  Hotel  close  by.  As  it 
happens  I  know  the  manager  and  his  wife  and  if  you 
will  permit  me  I  will  walk  with  you  to  the  door,  and  ask 
them  to  take  good  care  of  you.  I  think  you  are  like  Fill, 
not  over  well-accustomed  to  travelling." 


298  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Thank  you  very  much,"  said  Evereld  gratefully. 
"  Now  I  shall  feel  safe  indeed." 

The  old  priest  piloted  her  across  the  crowded  platform 
and  having  given  her  luggage  to  the  hotel  porter  himself 
took  her  to  the  Manager's  little  office  where  Madame,  a 
comely  and  pleasant  looking  woman,  sat  at  her  desk  busily 
casting  up  accounts.  Her  face  lighted  up  at  sight  of  the 
old  man. 

"  A  thousand  welcomes  Father  Nicolas,  it  is  long 
since  you  paid  us  a  visit." 

"  You  are  well,"  said  the  old  priest,  "  I  need  not  ask 
that,  for  it  is  easily  to  be  seen,  and  busy  as  usual.  Is 
your  husband  in  ?  " 

"  He  will  be  desolated,  but  he  has  gone  to  his  Club." 

"  Ah,  well,  I  will  call  and  see  him  to-morrow.  In  the 
meantime  will  you  kindly  do  your  utmost  to  make  this 
young  English  lady  feel  at  home  and  comfortable.  She 
is  unable  to  travel  further  till  the  8.59  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. I  leave  you  in  good  hands,"  he  said,  taki  ig  kindly 
leave  of  Evereld,  "  Madame  has  a  great  reputation  for 
taking  good  care  of  her  guests." 

"  It  will  be  my  greatest  pleasure,"  said  the  manager's 
wife.  "  Mademoiselle  looks  tired  and  will  doubtless  like 
to  go  to  her  room." 

Evereld  assented  and  toiled  upstairs  after  the  brisk  ca- 
pable looking  manageress  who  chatted  pleasantly  as  they 
went. 

"  He  has  the  best  of  hearts,  old  Father  Nicolas,"  she 
said.  "  I  have  known  him  since  I  was  a  child.  There  is 
not  a  living  thing  I  verilv  believe  that  he  does  not  love. 
It  was  a  sight  to  see  him  standing  on  a  winter's  morning 
in  the  garden  of  the  Presb}i;ere  and  feeding  the  birds  be- 
fore he  went  to  Mass." 

"  Where  does  he  live?  "  asked  Evereld. 

"  At  Arvron,  a  little  village  where  there  are  many  poor. 
His  people  adore  him.     This  will  be  your  room,  made- 


WAYFARING  MEN  299 

moisellc,  and  shall  I  send  you  up  a  little  hot  soup  to  take 
the  last  thing,  or  will  you  rather  come  down  to  the  salle 
a  manger  ?  " 

"  I  should  like  it  here  please,"  said  Evereld.  "  And  you 
won't  let  me  over-sleep  myself  and  miss  the  train  to-mor- 
row. I  am  so  tired,  I  think  I  should  sleep  the  clock  round 
if  no  one  called  me." 

"  I  will  call  you  myself,"  said  the  manageress.  "  It  is 
a  busy  life  here  and  I  am  always  an  early  riser.  Bon  soir, 
mademoiselle.  I  hope  you  will  be  quite  rested  by  the 
morning." 

"  How  much  easier  it  has  all  been  than  I  expected," 
thought  Evereld,  as  she  made  her  preparations  for  the 
night.  "  To  think  that  this  time  yesterday  I  was  at  Glion 
and  in  such  a  panic  lest  anything  should  prevent  my  get- 
ting away!  I  wonder  whether  I  had  better  telegraph  to 
Mrs.  Magnay,  and  tell  her  I  am  on  my  way  to  ask  her 
protection?  I  don't  think  I  will.  It  might  lead  to  my 
being  traced  later  on,  and  besides  I  have  no  idea  whether 
there  is  a  telegraph  office  within  reasonable  reach  of  the 
Chateau.    How  I  wonder  what  it  will  be  like." 

Her  reflections  were  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  a 
pretty  young  chambermaid  who  brought  her  a  basin  of 
the  most  delicious  soup;  and  long  before  midnight  she 
was  sound  asleep  and  dreaming  of  Bride  and  Aimee. 

She  woke  up  in  excellent  spirits,  chatted  with  Madame 
as  she  breakfasted  on  the  coffee  and  rolls,  which  the  pretty 
chambermaid  brought  to  her  bedroom,  and  set  off  on  the 
next  stage  of  her  Journey  full  of  hope  for  the  future  and 
relief  that  all  had  passed  off  so  well.  At  that  very  minute 
Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  was  ruefully  regarding  her  empty 
BOom  at  Glion  and  wondering  how  he  could  possibly  trace 
her  out.  But  Evereld  was  too  busy  to  trouble  herself 
much  over  the  thought  of  his  well-deserved  disoomiiture. 
Every  one  seemed  intent  on  being  kind  to  her  here.  The 
Manageress  was  almost  motherly  in  her  solicitude,  the 


300  WAYFARING  MEN 

chambermaid  waited  on  her  as  though  sen-ice  were  a 
pleasure,  and  the  hotel  porter  neglected  the  other  passen- 
gers in  the  omnibus  until  he  had  seen  her  safely  estab- 
lished in  the  salle  d'attente  with  her  possessions.  Here 
to  her  surprise  she  found  old  Father  Nicolas  reading  his 
breviary. 

"  It  was  too  early  yet  to  see  the  sick  lad  I  told  you  of," 
he  explained,  "  so  I  thought  I  would  start  you  on  your 
way,  if  you  will  permit  me  the  pleasure." 

"  I  shall  never  forget  all  your  kindness,"  she  said  grate- 
fully. "  I  was  feeling  so  dreadfully  alone  till  you  got  into 
the  train  last  night." 

"  Well  dt  is  no  bad  thing  to  learn  what  loneliness 
means,"  said  the  old  man  thoughtfully.  "  Nothing  so 
well  teaches  you  to  go  through  life  on  the  look  out  for 
the  lonely,  that  you  may  serve  them.  Ha!  They  come  to 
announce  your  train.  I  will  inquire  if  you  have  a  change 
of  carriages  at  Montbrison."  He  hurried  away,  returning 
in  a  minute  or  two  to  help  her  with  her  packages. 

"  Yes,  I  am  sorry  to  say  they  will  turn  you  out  at  Mont- 
brison, but  you  will  have  only  ten  minutes  waiting  and 
no  difficulty  at  all  in  that  quiet  place.  I  see  M.  Dubochet 
and  his  two  daughters — very  pleasant  people — will  you 
go  in  the  same  carriage?  " 

And  so  with  a  few  pleasant  words  of  introduction  to 
Mademoiselle  Dubochet,  Father  Nicolas  bade  Evereld 
God-speed,  and  as  the  train  moved  off  she  looked  out  wist- 
fully after  her  kindly  old  friend,  wondering  whether  she 
should  ever  again  come  across  him. 

The  clock  was  striking  five  when  after  an  uneventful 
journey  Evereld  found  herself  outside  the  station  at  Cler- 
mont-Ferrand, giving  orders  to  a  somewhat  rough-looking 
Auvergnat  to  drive  her  to  the  Chateau  de  Mabillon.  The 
man  seemed  inclined  to  hold  out  for  a  certain  sum  for  the 
journey  and  as  Evereld  had  no  notion  of  the  distance,  she 
was  determined  to  make  no  rash  promises.     It  would 


WAYFARING  MEN  3"» 

never  do  to  be  extravagant  now,  for  there  was  no  saying 
how  long  her  last  allowance  would  have  to  supply  her 
wants. 

"M.  Magnay  will  settle  with  you  when  we  reach  the 
chateau,"  she  said  with  a  little  touch  of  dignity  in  her 
manner.  The  man  instantly  subsided,  feeling  that  he 
had  no  stranger  to  deal  with,  but  a  friend  of  the  family. 
And  Claude  ilagnay's  name  was  quite  sufficient  to  assure 
him  that  he  would  receive  his  rightful  fare,  but  not  the 
extortionate  sum  he  had  demanded  of  the  new  comer. 

The  little  incident  had  however  depressed  Evereld.  She 
had  spoken  confidently  to  the  man  but  now  a  qualm  of 
doubt  came  over  her.  She  was  about  to  cast  herself  on 
the  mercy  of  Aimee's  parents,  and  after  all  she  knew  little 
about  them:  on  their  occasional  \^9its  to  Southbourne,  she 
had  gone  with  Aimee  and  Bride  to  spend  Saturday  after- 
noon with  them,  and  she  had  been  three  or  four  times 
to  their  London  house,  but  she  realised  now  that  she  was 
going  to  ask  a  very  great  favour  of  them,  and  that  pos- 
sibly they  might  not  care  to  shelter  her  from  her  lawful 
guardian. 

These  thoughts  lasted  all  the  time  they  were  driving 
through  the  narrow  and  dingy  streets  of  Clermont  Fer- 
rand,  and  she  fancied  that  the  lava  built  houses  seemed  to 
frown  upon  her  and  to  assure  her  that  she  was  an  un- 
welcome visitor.  Before  long  however  they  had  left  the 
town  behind  them  and  were  driving  through  the  most 
beautiful  country,  and  in  that  sunny  smiling  landscape 
it  was  impossible  to  give  way  to  anxious  thoughts.  The 
glowing  colours  of  the  autumn  leaves,  the  picturesque 
vineyards,  the  river  with  its  gleaming  water  reflecting 
the  blue  sky,  and  the  strange  irregular  mountains  which 
rose  on  every  hand  filled  her  with  delight. 

The  sun  had  set  when  at  length  they  reached  a  nar- 
rower and  more  secluded  valley;  Evereld  fancied  they 
must  be  getting  near  to  Mabillon  and  inquired  of  her 
driver. 


302  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  It  is  two  kilometres  to  the  chateau,"  said  the  Au- 
vergnat.  Then  after  a  few  minutes  he  again  turned 
round  from  the  box  seat.  "  Madame  Magnay  and  her 
daughter  are  down  at  the  mill  yonder/'  he  said. 

"  Oh,  stop  then,  and  let  me  speak  to  them,"  said  Ever- 
eld  eagerly;  and  springing  from  the  carriage  she  hastened 
towards  Aimee  who  quickly  perceived  her  and  ran  forward 
with  a  cry  of  joyful  astonishment. 

"  This  is  a  delightful  surprise.  Are  you  travelling  back 
through  France?    Mother,  you  remember  Evereld?" 

Mrs.  Magnay  gave  her  a  charming  greeting,  containing 
all  the  warmth  and  animation  which  English  greetings 
so  often  lack. 

"  I  remember  Evereld  very  well,  and  am  more  delighted 
than  I  can  say  to  welcome  her  to  my  dear  old  home." 

"  You  are  very  good,"  said  Evereld  shyly,  "  I  have 
come  to  you  because  I  was  in  great  trouble,  and  I  thought 
— I  felt  sure — you  would  help  and  advise  me.  It  is  im- 
possible for  me  to  stay  longer  with  Sir  Matthew  Macta- 
vish." 

Her  eyes  were  full  of  tears,  and  Mrs.  ]Magnay  taking  her 
hand  began  to  lead  her  towards  the  carriage. 

"  You  are  quite  tired  out,  poor  child,"  she  said  caress- 
ingly. "  We  are  very  sorry  for  your  trouble,  but  very 
glad  that  it  brought  you  to  Mabillon,  This  evening  you 
shall  tell  us  all  about  it.  Do  you  see  that  pretty  girl 
waving  her  hand  to  us  from  the  cottage  door?  That  is 
my  dear  old  Javotte's  granddaughter.  Aimee  has  told  you 
how  she  starved  herself  in  the  siege  of  Paris  that  we  might 
have  food  enough.    Dear  old  woman!  " 

"  And  here  is  one  of  the  best  views  of  Mont  D'Or," 
said  Aimee,  "  only  the  light  is  fading  so  fast  you  can't 
properly  see  it." 

Chatting  thus,  they  soon  reached  the  old  chateau,  a 
great  part  of  which  had  now  been  carefully  restored,  and 
Mrs.  Magnay  seeing  how  pale  and  worn  her  guest  looked, 
determined  to  take  her  straight  upstairs. 


IV  AY  FA  RING  MEN  303 

"  Run  Aimee,"  she  said,  "  and  tell  your  father  to  settle 
with  the  driver,  and  then  bring  a  cup  of  tea  for  Evereld. 
I  shall  take  her  to  Bride's  room,  she  will  be  more  snug 
in  there  I  think." 

So  Evereld  was  taken  straight  to  her  friend,  and  then 
while  Mrs.  ^lagnay  herself  kindled  the  wood  fire,  and 
daintily  piled  up  fir-cones  to  catch  the  blaze,  Bride  made 
her  rest  in  the  snuggest  of  easy  chairs,  and  she  had  very 
soon  told  them  the  whole  story. 

"  I  know  nothing  of  English  law,"  said  Mrs.  Magnay. 
"  Are  you  sure  you  can  put  yourself  under  the  protection 
of  the  Lord  Chancellor?  " 

"  I  think  so,"  said  Evereld.  "  Don't  you  remember, 
Bride,  how  we  used  to  tease  you  about  your  answer  in  that 
examination  we  had,  when  you  wrote — "  The  Lord  Chan- 
cellor must  be  a  very  busy  man  for  Blackstone  says  he  is 
the  natural  guardian  of  all  orphans,  idiots  and  lunatics." 

"  To  be  sure  I  do,"  said  Bride  laughing.  "  Well  if 
Blackstone  says  so,  you  must  surely  be  right." 

"  I  will  go  and  talk  over  matters  with  my  husband,  and 
see  what  he  advises,  and  in  the  meantime,  Bride,  I  strong- 
ly advise  you  to  put  Evereld  to  bed.  She  looks  to  me  quite 
tired  out.  Eest  and  forget  your  troubles,  dear.  No  one 
can  molest  you  at  Mabillon,  and  you  say  that  Sir  Mat- 
thew can  have  no  clue  to  your  whereabouts." 

"No,  he  will  naturally  think  I  have  gone  to  Mrs.  Here- 
ford, or  to  my  old  governess  at  Dresden,"  said  Evereld. 
"  To-morrow  I  must  write  to  Mrs.  Hereford  and  ask  her  to 
let  Ralph  know  that  I  am  safe.  I  am  so  afraid  he  may 
hear  that  I  have  disappeared  and  be  anxious  about  me." 

"  Write  to  him,"  said  Bride,  "  and  let  Doreen  forward 
your  letter." 

In  the  meantime  Mrs.  Magnay  told  the  whole  story  to 
her  husband,  and  it  was  decided  that  he  should  put  the 
case  straight  into  the  hands  of  a  London  solicitor.  Ever- 
eld, being  consulted  as  to  the  one  she  would  prefer,  un- 


304  WAYFARING  MEN 

hesitatingly  named  Ralph's  old  friend  Mr.  Marriott  of 
Basinghali  Street,  and  as  Claude  Magnay  knew  that  she 
could  not  have  mentioned  a  more  trustworthy  and  effi- 
cient man  he  wrote  to  him  and  made  her  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  also  write  with  a  full  description  of  all  that 
had  passed,  of  her  suspicions  with  regard  to  her  fortune 
and  of  her  wish  for  a  thorough  investigation  of  her  af- 
fairs. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

"  No  action  whether  foul  or  fair, 
Is  ever  done,  but  it  leaves  somewhere 
A  record,  written  by  liug-ers  ghostly. 
As  a  blessing  or  a  curse,  and  mostly 
In  the  greater  weakness  or  greater  strength 
Of  the  acts  that  follow  it,  till  at  length 
The  wrongs  of  ages  are  redressed. 
And  the  justice  of  God  made  manifest." 

The  Golden  Legend. 

Ralph's  anxieties  came  to  an  end  while  the  Company 
were  fulfilling  their  engagement  at  Nottingham.  For  one 
never  to  be  forgotten  day  there  aiTived  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
Hereford,  enclosing  a  long  letter  on  foreign  paper  from 
Evereld.  The  sheet  bore  no  address  and  she  did  not  men- 
tion the  name  of  the  friends  who  were  taking  care  of  her, 
but  she  told  him  all  about  their  kindness,  and  that  Bride 
O'Ryan  was  with  her,  that  she  was  quite  safe  from  moles- 
tation and  in  the  depths  of  the  country  far  away  among 
mountains  and  woods,  where  neither  Sir  Matthew  nor 
Bruce  Wylie  could  trouble  her  peace. 

Later  on  came  news  from  Mrs.  Hereford  that  Evereld's 
affairs  had  been  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Marriott,  and 
that  Mr.  Hereford  was  in  consultation  with  the  old  lawyer 
and  would  do  everything  he  possibly  could:  offering,  if  it 
were  thought  well,  to  become  Evereld's  guardian  and 
trustee  should  the  Lord  Chancellor  decide  to  deprive  Sir 
Matthew  of  the  Trusteeship.  After  that  for  some  time 
came  no  news  at  all. 

At  last,  growing  anxious,  Ralph  made  a  hurried  expedi- 
tion to  town  late  one  Saturday  night,  and  sought  out  his 
old  friend  Mr.  Marriott  on  Sunday. 

He  could  not  however  get  anything  very  definite  out  of 
him.  Mr.  Marriott  was  always  reserved  and  cautious,  but 
he  set  him  quite  at  rest  as  far  as  Evereld  was  concerned. 


3o6  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  She  is  perfectly  safe  and  Sir  Matthew  can't  touch  her, 
for  she  is  now  a  ward  of  Court,"  he  said  reassuringly.  "  I 
am  not  yet  at  liberty  to  speak  to  you  as  to  details.  I 
think  however  your  old  prejudice  against  Sir  Matthew 
Mactavish  was  not  without  foundation.  Unless  I  am 
much  mistaken,  he  will  soon  be  unmasked.  Now  to  turn 
to  quite  another  matter;— I  understand  from  my  client 
Lady  Fenchurch,  that  you  were  present  at  Edinburgh  last 
summer  and  met  Sir  Roderick.  Tell  me  as  carefully  as 
you  can  all  that  passed  while  you  were  present." 

Ralph  related  all  that  he  could  remember. 

"  We  have  exactly  the  same  sort  of  evidence  from  many 
other  witnesses  of  similar  scenes,"  said  the  lawyer.  "  It 
will  not  be  worth  while  calling  you  to  appear  at  the  trial. 
If  you  had  witnessed  any  sort  of  violence,  physical  vio- 
lence, we  should  subprena  you  at  once." 

"  When  does  the  case  come  on?  "  said  Ralph. 

"  Possibly  next  week,  but  there  is  always  great  uncer- 
tainty as  to  the  exact  date." 

Ralph's  thoughts  naturally  turned  to  Macneillie  and 
he  remembered  his  words  about  suspense  being  tolerable 
because  it  was  always  so  largely  mixed  with  hope. 

The  lawyer,  however,  who  knew  nothing  of  his  reasons 
for  taking  interest  in  the  Fenchurch  case,  fancied  the 
shadow  on  his  face  was  caused  by  anxiety  for  Evereld 
Ewart,  and  began  to  talk  in  a  kindly  way  of  her  future. 

"  Of  course,"  he  said,  "  I  can  understand  that  under  the 
circumstances  it  is  hard  for  you  not  to  be  allowed  even  to 
know  where  Miss  Ewart  is.  But  it  is  safer  that  you  should 
only  communicate  with  her  through  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Here- 
ford. Who  can  tell  that  Sir  Matthew  may  not  pounce 
down  on  you  again  as  he  did  at  Rilchester.  You  know 
that  she  is  safe  and  well  and  for  the  present  that  must 
Buffice  you.  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  world 
will  soon  see  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  in  his  true  colours, 
and  what  will  happen  then  no  one  can  foretell.     There 


WAYFARING  MEN  307 

are  storms  ahead,  but  I  tliink  they  are  storms  which  will 
at  any  rate  clear  your  way." 

After  this  enigmatical  speech  Ralph  went  back  to  his 
work,  somewhat  perplexed,  yet  on  the  whole  relieved  and 
hopeful.  There  followed  ten  uneventful  days  and  then 
one  morning  at  Brighton,  when  he  came  down  to  break- 
fast and  opened  the  paper,  the  first  thing  that  caught  his 
eye  was  a  brief  paragraph  just  before  the  leading  article. 

"  In  the  Divorce  Division  yesterday  the  President  and 
a  Common  Jury  had  before  them  the  case  of  Fenchurch 
V.  Fenchurch  and  Mackay.  The  adultery  was  not  denied 
but  the  evidence  failed  to  show  legal  cruelty  on  the  part 
of  the  defendant.  His  Lordship  was  therefore  unable 
to  grant  a  decree  nisi,  but  ordered  a  judicial  separation 
with  costs,  and  directed  the  amount  to  be  paid  into  Court 
in  a  fortnight.  Lady  Fenchurch  is  well  known  to  the 
public  under  her  stage  name  of  Miss  Christine  Greville." 

"  She  is  not  yet  free  from  that  brute  then,"  thought 
Ralph,  a  sick  feeling  of  disappointment  stealing  over  him 
as  he  realised  how  this  news  would  darken  his  friend's 
sky,  how  it  would  for  ever  cheat  him  of  his  heart's  desire. 
Hastily  turning  the  paper  to  read  the  longer  report,  he 
found  a  whole  column  with  the  sensational  heading, 
"  Theatrical  Divorce  Suit,"  and  feeling  how  it  would  all 
grate  upon  Macneillie,  longed  to  keep  the  newspaper 
from  him.  "  He  shall  at  any  rate  have  his  breakfast  in 
peace,"  he  reflected,  and  crushing  the  paper  in  his  hands 
he  flung  it  into  the  fire. 

The  blaze  had  only  just  died  down  when  Macneillie 
entered.  He  seemed  in  unusually  good  spirits;  they  had 
had  good  houses  for  three  nights,  moreover  the  weather 
was  bright  and  clear,  and  the  autumn  sunshine  of  the 
south  coast  seemed  doubly  delightful  after  a  gloomy  tour 
in  the  midlands.  Ralph  thought  he  had  never  seen  him 
look  so  young  and  buoyant  and  hopeful  as  just  at  that 
moment. 


3o8  WAYFARING   MEN 

"  Nothing  like  Brightoii'air  for  making  a  man  hungry," 
said  Macnoillie  devouring  a  plateful  of  porridge  and  help- 
ing himself  to  eggs  and  bacon.  Have  they  brought 
round  the  letters  from  the  theatre?  " 

Ealph  handed  him  a  budget,  hoping  that  it  would  oc- 
cupy him  and  make  him  forget  the  paper!  But  there 
were  no  letters  of  importance  and  MacueilHe  suddenly 
remembering  that  there  might  by  chance  be  news  of  the 
Fenchurch  case,  which  he  was  aware  would  probably  come 
on  during  November,  looked  eagerly  round  the  table. 

''  No  newspaper?  "  he  said.  "  How's  that?  The  Smith 
boy  must  have  played  us  false." 

"  I  will  run  out  and  get  one,"  said  Ealph.  "  Will  you 
have  any  of  the  local  ones,  too?  " 

"  Yes,  let  us  see  what  they  have  to  say  about  '  The 
Winter's  Tale,' "  said  Macneillie. 

Ralph  disappeared  and  Macneillie  having  finished  his 
breakfast  rang  for  the  maid  to  clear. 

"  Have  you  taken  our  newspaper  to  any  of  the  other 
lodgers  by  mistake?"  he  asked,  beginning  to  feel  impa- 
tient for  it. 

"  No,  sir,"  said  the  maid.  "  It's  in  here,  at  least — " 
looking  round  in  surprise,  "  I  know  it  was  in  here,  Mr. 
Denmead  must  have  taken  it  away.  I  saw  him  open  it 
when  I  brought  in  the  coffee." 

Then  in  a  flash  it  dawned  upon  Macneillie  that  Ealph 
had  made  away  with  the  paper  because  it  contained  bad 
news. 

"  The  boy  couldn't  stand  seeing  me  come  upon  it  sud- 
denly," he  thought  to  himself.  "  He  wanted  me  to  break- 
fast first.  No  one  but  Ralph  would  have  thought  of  that! 
It  is  the  worst  news.    I  must  be  ready  to  bear  it." 

He  stood  by  the  window  looking  out  at  the  great  ex- 
panse of  sea  with  its  blue  surface  crisply  ruffled  by  the 
fresh  wind.  Away  to  the  left  the  graceful  outline  of  the 
chain  pier  seemed  to  speak  of  old  fashioned  Brighton, 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  309 

and  it  took  him  back  to  a  time  at  least  seventeen  years 
ago  in  the  very  earhest  days  of  his  betrothal  to  Christine. 
How  vividly  the  very  tiniest  details  of  the  past  came 
back  to  him.  It  had  been  in  the  days  of  gestheticism  and 
high  art  colouring,  a  style  which  had  suited  Christine  to 
perfection.  He  could  remember,  too,  how  at  one  of  the 
little  old-fashioned  stalls  he  had  bought  her  a  dirk-shaped 
Scotch  shawl  brooch  with  a  cairngorm  stone  in  it;  they 
had  been  far  too  poor  in  those  days  to  dream  of  diamonds. 

"  She  was  only  a  child  of  seventeen,"  he  thought  to 
himself,  "  younger  than  Evereld  Ewart;  and  I  was  not 
perhaps  so  very  much  older  than  that  young  fellow  over 
the  way.  Yes,  I  was  though — it  is  Ralph!  How  slowly 
he  is  walking.  I  believe  the  boy  cares  for  me,  he  hates 
to  be  the  bearer  of  ill  news." 

Ralph's  usually  cheerful  face  was  curiously  over-cast; 
he  put  down  the  papers,  muttered  something  about  "  go- 
ing to  Brill's  for  a  swim,"  and  made  for  the  door. 

"  Rehearsal  at  eleven,  don't  forget,"  said  Macneillie, 
taking  up  the  London  paper  with  a  steady  hand. 

He  was  glad  to  be  alone,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  griev- 
ous pain  he  felt  grateful  to  Ralph  for  that  little  touch  of 
considerateness  which  had  spared  him  to  some  extent, — 
that  strategem  which  had  deferred  his  evil  day.  For  a.s 
he  had  said  his  suspense  had  been  largely  mixed  with 
hope,  he  had  tried  to  face  the  other  alternative  but  his 
very  sense  of  justice  had  inclined  him  to  be  hopeful.  It 
surely  could  not  be  that  after  these  long  years  of  suffering 
there  should  be  no  release?  Max  Hereford's  words  had 
chilled  him  for  the  time,  but  spite  of  them  the  hope  had 
predominated.  Now  hope  lay  dead, — remorselessly  slain 
by  this  unequal  English  law,  which  as  a  Scotsman  seemed 
to  him  so  extraordinary  so  intolerably  unfair. 

When  a  law  is  manifestly  unjust, — when  it  flatly  con- 
tradicts the  foundation  truth  of  Christianity  that  in  Christ 
all  are  equal,  that  there  is  neither  bond  nor  free,  male  nor 


3IO  WAYFARING  MEN 

female — there  comes  to  every  one  of  strong  passions  the 
temptation  to  break  the  law.  It  is  such  a  hard  thing  to 
wait  patiently  for  the  slow  teddous  process  of  reform,  that 
the  headstrong  and  the  impetuous  and  the  self-indulgent, 
and  all  who  have  not  learnt  a  stern  self-control,  will  often 
take  the  law  into  their  own  hands  and  defy  the  world. 
Macneillie  reaped  now  the  benefit  of  long  years  of  self- 
repression  and  suffering.  He  saw  very  clearly  that  it  is 
only  justifiable  to  break  the  law  of  the  land  when  it  in- 
terferes with  a  higher  duty;  that  to  break  even  a  bad  law 
because  it  interfered  with  one's  cherished  desire  could 
never  be  right;  that  to  admit  such  a  course  to  be  right 
must  sap  the  very  foundations  of  society. 

He  saw  it  all  plainly  enough,  yet,  being  human,  could 
not  at  once  shake  himself  free  from  the  haunting  con- 
sciousness that  it  lay  in  his  power  to  choose  present  hap- 
piness, that  in  such  a  case  the  world  would  quickly  con- 
done the  offence,  and — greatest  temptation  of  all — that 
he  might  shield  Christine  from  the  difficulties  and  dan- 
gers that  were  but  too  likely  to  assail  one  in  her  position. 

Fortunately  he  had  but  little  spare  time  on  his  hands, 
it  was  already  a  quarter  to  eleven  and  the  mere  habit  of 
rigorous  punctuality  came  to  his  help. 

He  walked  down  the  parade,  and  the  fresh  air  and  the 
salt  sea  breeze  invigorated  him,  his  mind  went  back,  sadly 
enough,  yet  with  greater  safety,  from  the  future  to  the 
past,  he  seemed  to  be  young  once  more  and  crossing  this 
very  Steyne  with  a  tall  golden-haired  girl,  who  still  re- 
tained something  of  the  simplicity  and  innocence  which 
she  had  brought  with  her  from  her  quiet  school  in  the 
country.  She  was  beside  him  as  he  passed  through  Castle 
Square,  beside  him  as  he  walked  up  North  Street,  beside 
him  as  he  went  along  the  Colonnade  and  entered  the 
stage  door  of  the  very  same  theatre  where  they  had  acted 
together  all  those  years  ago. 

There  was  a  rehearsal  of  "  Romeo  and  Juliet "  chiefly 


WAYFARING  MEN  311 

for  the  sake  of  Ralph,  who  was  the  understudy  for  Romeo 
and  was  obliged  to  play  the  part  that  evening  owing  to 
the  illness  of  the  Juvenile  Lead — John  Carrington. 

Though  of  course  perfect  in  his  words,  he  needed  a 
good  deal  of  instruction,  and  Macneillie  who  always  found 
him  a  pupil  after  his  own  heart,  receptive,  quick,  eager 
to  learn,  and  with  that  touch  of  genius  which  is  as  rare 
as  it  is  delightful,  forgot  for  a  time  all  his  troubles  in  the 
pleasure  of  teaching.  And  if,  after  the  night's  perform- 
ance was  over  and  his  satisfaction  with  his  pupil's  suc- 
cess had  had  time  to  pass  into  the  background,  the  old 
temptation  came  back  once  more,  it  came  back  with  les- 
sened power  and  found  a  stronger  man  to  grapple  with  it. 

No  word  passed  between  master  and  pupil  as  to  the  bad 
news  the  morning  had  brought,  except  that  as  Ealph, 
somewhat  sooner  than  usual,  bade  the  Manager  good- 
night, Macneillie  with  his  most  kindly  look  said  to  him: — 

"  Your  Eomeo  is  the  best  thing  you  have  done  yet. 
The  saying  goes,  you  know,  that  no  man  has  the  power 
to  act  Eomeo  till  he  looks  too  old  for  the  part;  you  have 
done  something  towards  falsifying  that  axiom,  and  have 
cheered  a  dark  day  for  me." 

"  I  owe  everything  to  you,  Governor,"  said  Ralph  grip- 
ping his  hand;  and  as  he  turned  away  he  felt  that  he 
would  have  given  up  all  and  been  content  to  play  walking 
gentleman  for  the  rest  of  his  days  if  only  Macneillie  could 
be  spared  this  grievous  trial  that  had  come  upon  him. 
He  prayed  for  a  reform  of  the  law  as  he  had  never  prayed 
in  his  life. 

Left  alone,  Macneillie  paced  silently  up  and  down  the 
x'oom,  deep  in  thought.  At  length  in  the  small  hours  of 
the  night,  he  took  pen  and  paper  and  wrote  the  following 
letter: — 

"My  dear  Christine: 

"  It  is  impossible  after  our  talk  last  summer  in  Scot- 


312  WAYFARING  MEN 

land,  to  let  such  a  time  as  this  pass  by  in  silence.  You 
well  know  that  I  love  you,  nor  will  I  pretend  ignorance 
of  your  love  for  me.  Let  us  be  honest  and  face  facts; — 
truth  makes  even  what  we  are  called  on  to  bear  more  en- 
durable. It  is  because  I  love  and  honour  you  that  I  write 
to  bid  you  farewell.  Let  us  at  least  be  law-abiding  citi- 
zens, even  though  the  law  be  a  one-sided,  unjust  law. 

"  I  believe  from  my  heart,  that  Christ,  though  disallow- 
ing divorce,  with  its  natural  sequence  another  marriage, 
for  all  the  trivial  reasons  which  the  Jews  were  in  the 
habit  of  putting  forward,  distinctly  permitted  them  where 
a  marriage  had  been  broken  by  the  faithlessness  of  a 
guilty  partner.  And  assuredly  He  never  set  up  one  stand- 
ard of  morality  for  men  and  another  for  women;  His 
words  must  apply  equally  to  both. 

"  Doubtless  some  day  the  gross  injustice  of  the  ex- 
isting English  law  will  be  removed,  and  as  in  Scotland 
there  will  be  one  and  the  same  law  for  men  and  women 
in  this  matter.  For  that  day  I  wait  and  hope.  For  many 
reasons  I  do  not  ask  now  to  see  you.  Is  it  not  better  that 
we  should  not  meet?  I  am  convinced  that  it  is  safer 
and  wiser  that  we  should — both  for  our  own  sakes  and  for 
the  sake  of  the  profession — keep  apart.  Many  may  think 
this  mere  old-fashioned  prejudice,  but  I  believe  I  should 
serve  you  better  at  a  distance  than  by  dangling  about  you 
and  so  giving  a  handle  to  those  scandal-mongers  who  love 
nothing  so  dearly  as  to  make  free  with  the  name  of  some 
well-known  actress. 

"  I  daro  not  write  more,  save  just  to  beg  and  pray  that 
if  there  should  ever  be  a  time  when  you  are  in  any  danger 
or  difficulty,  and  others — better  fitted  to  serve  because 
more  indifferent — arc  not  at  hand,  you  will  then  turn  to 
me  for  help. 

"  God  bless  you.    Good  bye. 

"  Yours  ever, 

"  TTuoH  Macnetllte." 


WAYFARING  MEN  313 

The  letter  reached  Christine  at  ]\Ionkton  Verney  and 
the  sight  of  it  made  the  colour  rush  to  her  pale  face. 
What  she  hoped,  what  she  feared  she  scarcely  knew  her- 
self, her  heart  was  all  in  tumult.  She  read  it  in  feverish 
haste,  then  again  slowly  and  carefully,  and  yet  a  third 
time  through  fast  gathering  tears.  How  strangely  it  con- 
trasted with  the  so-called  love  letters  she  had  received 
from  some  men!  And  yet  how  infinitely  more  it  moved 
her  by  its  calmness  and  self-restraint! 

"  I  was  unworthy  of  you  in  the  past,"  she  thought. 
"  But  God  helping  me  I  will  try  to  be  more  worthy  now." 

And  without  further  delay, — dreading  perhaps  to  put 
off  the  difficult  task — she  wrote  him  a  letter  which  had  in 
it  the  fervour  of  a  new  and  strong  resolve,  and  the  beauty 
of  a  perfectly  sincere  response  of  soul  to  soul. 

After  that  she  plunged  straight  into  business,  and  about 
noon  sought  out  Miss  Clarcmont  and,  walking  with  her 
in  the  quiet  grounds  near  the  ruined  priory,  told  her 
of  the  plans  she  had  made  for  the  future. 

"  I  have  as  you  know  made  over  the  management  of 
the  theatre  to  Barry  Sterne.  He  and  his  wife  have  been 
very  good  to  me  for  many  years,  and  it  is  better  now  that 
I  should  not  again  be  burdened  ^nth  all  the  cares  of  a 
Manageress.  He  proposes  that  I  should  take  the  part 
of  the  heroine  in  the  new  pla}'  that  he  is  bringing  out  in 
January  and  I  have  just  written  to  him  accepting  the 
proposal." 

"  Are  you  fit  yet  for  work?  "  asked  Miss  Claremont 
looking  a  little  doubtfully  into  her  companion's  face;  it 
was  curiously  beautiful  this  morning,  but  not  with  the 
beauty  of  physical  strength.  Indeed  Christine  had  never 
looked  capable  of  bearing  any  very  great  strain  and  the 
last  few  da3fs  had  taxed  her  powers  to  the  utmost. 

"  I  must  get  to  work,"  she  said  quietly.  "  There  is  no 
safety  in  idleness.  How  odd  it  seems  that  a  physical 
break-down  comes  generally  through  overwork,  and  a 
moral  break-down  throujrh  too  little  work." 


314  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  When  must  you  leave  us?  "  asked  Miss  Claremont. 

"I  think  I  had  better  go  next  week,  and  if  you  will 
keep  Charlie  a  few  days  longer  I  can  settle  into  that  flat 
in  Victoria  Street  which  I  have  the  refusal  of.  I  shall 
manage  very  well  there  with  my  maid,  and  with  Dugald 
to  wait  on  Charlie;  it  will  be  necessary  to  live  a  quiet  life 
for  many  reasons." 

Miss  Claremont  assented,  nor  was  it  possible  to  raise 
any  objection  to  her  companion's  plans.  But  she  could 
not  help  secretly  wondering  whether,  with  all  her  good 
intentions,  Christine  was  strong  enough  either  in  health 
or  in  character  to  live  a  life  so  beset  with  difficulties. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

"  It  seems  indeed  one  of  the  deepest  of  moral  laws,  that 
under  the  stress  of  trial  men  will  strongly  tend  at  least  to 
be  whatever  in  quieter  hours  they  have  made  them- 
selves."—" The  Spirit  of  Discipline." 

Dean  Paget. 

December  was  now  half  over  and  Macneillie's  company 
had  got  as  far  as  Southampton  in  their  progress  along  the 
south  coast.  It  was  no  slight  pleasure  to  Ralph  to  find 
himself  back  in  his  old  neighbourhood,  and  to  act  in  the 
very  theatre  where  long  ago  his  father  had  taken  him  to 
see  Washington  in  "  The  Bells."  He  had  heard  nothing 
more  from  Mr.  Marriott,  and  Evereld's  letters  contained 
no  reference  to  business  matters,  but  were  taken  up  with 
descriptions  of  life  in  the  French  country  house,  and  of 
the  happy  time  she  was  having  with  Bride  O'Ryan. 

It  happened  one  day  that  as  there  was  no  rehearsal 
Ralph  was  able  to  walk  over  to  Whinhaven.  There  were 
however  very  few  of  his  old  friends  left  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. 

Sir  John  and  Lady  Tresidder  were  in  India,  pretty 
Mabel  Tresidder  had  married  an  officer  and  he  had  no 
idea  of  her  present  whereabouts,  while  even  in  the  vil- 
lage there  were  many  changes.  Langston  his  coast-guard 
friend  had  got  promotion  and  others  had  left  the  place 
or  had  died.  He  felt  like  a  returned  ghost  as  he  wan- 
dered about  the  well-known  lanes,  and  glanced  at  the 
familiar  garden  and  at  the  unchanged  outlines  of  the  Rec- 
tory. A  little  child  was  playing  with  a  pet  rabbit  on  the 
lawn  just  as  he  had  played  in  old  times.  He  stood  for 
a  minute  at  the  gate  watching  it  with  a  strange  feeling 


3i6  WAYFARING   MEN 

at  Ills  heart  which  was  not  all  pain,  but  rather  a  sort  of 
tender  regret  and  a  glad  sense  of  gratitude  for  a  happy 
childhood  of  which  no  one  could  ever  rob  him.  For  the 
rest  his  return  was  like  all  such  returns.  He  found  the 
church  unaltered,  the  houses  bereft  of  some  of  their  old 
inhabitants  and  the  church-yard  more  full. 

Ealph  however  was  not  a  man  who  liked  to  linger 
among  graves,  he  stood  only  for  a  minute  by  the  tomb 
of  his  father  and  mother,  and  passed  on  to  that  little  nook 
in  the  park  which  they  had  always  called  the  "  goodly 
heritage."  It  was  as  beautiful  as  ever,  even  in  leafless 
December.  The  robins  were  singing  blithely,  the  little 
brook  rippled  at  the  foot  of  the  steep  descent,  and  an 
adventurous  squirrel  had  stolen  out  of  his  sleeping  place 
to  investigate  his  secret  stores  and  to  take  a  brief  scamper 
among  the  branches.  Some  day,  Ralph  thought  to  him- 
self, he  would  bring  Evereld  to  see  it  all,  and  with  that 
his  thoughts  travelled  away  into  a  happy  future,  and  as 
he  walked  back  to  the  nearest  station  regrets  for  the  past 
were  merged  in  the  realisation  that  the  best  part  of  his 
life  was  still  before  him,  and  that  many  of  his  dark  days 
had  been  lived  through. 

He  was  only  just  in  time  to  catch  the  train  and  was 
hurriedly  searching  for  a  place  when  he  was  startled  to 
hoar  himself  called  by  his  Christian  name,  and  glancing 
round  he  saw  someone  beckoning  to  him  from  a  carriage 
at  a  little  distance.  The  door  was  opened  for  him,  he 
stepped  in,  and  to  his  amazement  recognised  in  the  dim 
light  the  well-known  features  of  his  Godfather.  There 
was  no  other  occupant  of  the  carriage  and  Ralph  remem- 
bering how  they  had  parted  at  Rilchester  would  fain  have 
beat  a  retreat. 

"  You  are  going  to  Southampton?  "  asked  Sir  Matthew. 
"  I  heard  Maoneillic's  company  was  there  and  I  came 
partly  for  the  sake  of  seeing  you." 

"  Do  you  bring  news  of  Evoreld  ?  "  asked  Ralph  eagerly. 

"  No,"  said  Sir  Matthew,  "  she  has  succeeded  in  baf- 


WAYFARING  MEN  317 

fling  me,  you  were  right  there.  It  is  to  her  wilfulness  that 
all  my  misfortunes  are  due." 

Ralph  bit  hds  lip  to  keep  back  the  retort  that  occurred 
to  him.  For  a  minute  the  two  looked  at  each  other  search- 
ingly.  Sir  Matthew  felt  a  sinking  of  the  heart  as  he  no- 
ticed the  angry  light  in  his  companion's  eyes.  Ralph  on 
the  other  hand  was  perplexed  by  the  pallor  and  dejection 
of  his  Godfather's  face.  The  Company  promoter  seemed 
quite  another  man,  he  looked  old  and  broken,  all  his 
suavity  of  manner,  his  business-like,  capable  air  had  van- 
ished. 

"  I  am  ruined,"  he  said;  "  worse  than  ruined — I  am 
disgraced.  At  any  moment  I  may  be  arrested  unless  I 
can  succeed  in  leaving  the  country  unnoticed." 

Ralph  hstencd  to  this  starthng  announcement  with  an 
impassive  face.  He  hardened  his  heart  against  the  man 
who  had  dealt  harshly  with  him. 

"  I  suppose  it  means,"  he  said,  "  that  another  of  your 
Companies  has  failed  and  that  this  time  you  have  suffered 
yourself,  besides  ruining  hundreds  as  you  ruined  my 
father." 

"  God  knows  how  I  regretted  his  losses,"  said  Sir  Mat- 
thew and  for  the  time  there  was  a  ring  of  genuine  feeling 
in  his  voice.  "  It  was  for  that  reason  I  adopted  you,  that 
I  educated  you,  that  I  took  you  straight  to  my  own  home. 
Have  you  forgotten  that?" 

"  Sir,  you  never  gave  me  a  chance  of  forgetting  it," 
said  Ralph  bitterly,  all  his  worst  self  called  out  by  contact 
with  this  man  whom  he  detested.  "Had  I  listened  to 
your  temptation  I  should  now  have  been  pledged  to  be- 
come a  money-grubbing  priest,  a  trader  in  holy  things, 
a  disgrace  to  the  church." 

He  pulled  himself  up,  recollecting  that  he  was  not 
much  to  boast  of  as  it  was — ^but  a  faulty,  irritable  mortal, 
full  now  of  resentment,  and  hatred  and  contemptuous 
anger. 


3i8  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Perliaps  you  were  right/'  said  Sir  Matthew  with  a 
sigh.  "  I  admit  that  I  was  harsh  with  you  that  day,  and 
you  have  a  right  to  hit  me  now  that  I  am  down." 

Ealph  instantly  responded  to  this  appeal  as  the  astute 
Sir  Matthew  had  calculated. 

"  Don't  let  us  speak  of  the  past,"  he  said  in  an  altered 
tone,  "  I  owe  you  my  education  and  I  try  to  be  grateful 
for  that.  Why  did  you  wish  to  see  me?  "What  do  you 
want  with  me?  " 

"  We  are  almost  at  Southampton,"  said  Sir  Matthew 
glancing  at  the  lights  of  the  town.  "  Let  me  come  to 
your  rooms  with  you  and  I  will  there  explain  matters. 
Is  this  St.  Denys?  They  stop  for  tickets  here  I  suppose; 
have  the  goodness  to  give  mine  to  the  collector." 

He  moved  to  the  further  end  of  the  carriage  and  began 
to  unstrap  some  rugs  from  which  he  took  a  highland 
maud.  He  was  still  stooping  over  the  straps  when  the 
tickets  were  collected.  Then  as  soon  as  they  moved  on 
once  more  he  began  to  swathe  himself  elaborately  in  his 
tartan. 

"  Can  I  see  you  alone?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph,  "  I  am  usually  with  Mr.  Macneil- 
lie,  but  he  has  friends  in  Southampton  and  is  staying  with 
them,  so  I  happen  to  be  quite  alone." 

"  All  the  better  "  said  Sir  Matthew  a  touch  of  his  old 
manner  returning  to  him.  "  We  will  take  a  cab.  I  have 
only  this  gladstone  with  me." 

And  accepting  Ralph's  offer  to  carry  his  bag,  he  drew 
the  tartan  carefully  over  the  lower  part  of  his  face  and 
crossed  the  platform  swiftly  to  the  cabstand. 

Ralph  felt  like  one  in  a  dream  as  they  drove  through 
the  town  to  his  lodgings,  and  several  times  he  recalled 
the  day  when  as  a  child  he  had  last  left  Whinhaven,  and 
Sir  Matthew  and  he  had  sat  thus  side  by  side  driving 
through  the  crowded  London  streets  to  Queen  Anne's 
Gate. 


JV  AY  FARING  MEN  319 

The  tables  were  turned  indeed!  It  occurred  to  him 
even  more  strikingly  as  he  took  Sir  Matthew  into  his 
snug  little  sitting-room  in  Portland  Street  and  saw  him 
warming  his  hands  at  the  fire.  Recollecting  that  his 
Godfather  was  a  great  tea-drinker,  he  rang  at  once  and 
ordered  the  landlady  to  make  some  ready. 

"  That  will  be  coals  of  fire  on  his  head,"  he  thought  to 
himself  with  a  smile  as  he  recalled  the  afternoon  when 
he  had  sat  hungrily  in  Lady  Mactavish's  great  drawing- 
room  privileged  only  to  hand  cups  to  other  people. 

Sir  Matthew  was  curiously  silent,  and  as  he  sat  by  the 
fire  seemed  to  care  for  nothing  but  the  warmth  and  the 
food.  By  and  bye,  however,  glancing  at  his  watch  he 
seemed  to  remember  that  his  time  was  limited. 

"  You  are  acting  this  evening?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph,  "  in  the  '  Rivals.'  I  must  be  at  the 
theatre  in  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  Can  you  tell  me 
now  what  you  want  with  me?  " 

"  I  want  your  help,"  said  Sir  Matthew.  "  At  any  mo- 
ment I  may  be  traced.  Though  I  hope  I  have  eluded 
pursuit  and  set  them  on  a  wrong  track  one  can  never  tell 
in  these  days  of  telegrams  and  espionage.  I  don't  ask 
much  of  you.  All  I  want  is  this;  go  down  to  the  agents' 
and  take  a  place  on  board  the  Havre  boat  for  to-night; 
let  me  shelter  here  until  the  passengers  are  allowed  to  go 
on  to  the  steamer  and,  since  you  are  a  practised  hand  in 
making  up,  help  me  to  disguise  myself.  I  ask  nothing  but 
this." 

The  audacity  of  the  request  roused  all  Ralph's  angry 
resentment  again.  He  clenched  his  hands  fiercely  and 
began  to  pace  up  and  down  the  room. 

"  You  ask  me  to  help  you  to  escape,"  he  said  indig- 
nantly, "  when  I  am  certain  that  you  richly  deserve  to 
be  brought  to  justice!  " 

"  I  ask  you,"  replied  Sir  Matthew,  "  to  help  your  God- 
father in  his  great  need.  To  show  a  kindness  to  your 
father's  old  friend." 


320  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  You  had  no  kindness  for  him,"  said  Ralph.  "  How 
can  you — how  dare  you  come  to  me.  You  who  have  deso- 
lated homes  and  broken  hearts!  Why  there  are  few  things 
I  should  like  better  than  to  see  you  arrested  and  properly 
punished." 

Sir  Matthew's  face  grew  whiter. 

"  Would  you  betray  me?  "  he  said,  "  after  I  have  trusted 
you?" 

"  No,"  said  Ealph  indignantly,  "  certainly  not.  But  I 
will  not  stir  a  finger  to  help  you.  How  can  you  expect 
me  to  forget  the  way  in  which  you  have  wronged  Ever- 
eld?" 

Sir  Matthew's  keen  eyes  scrutinised  him  closely  for  a 
minute;  he  was  puzzled  to  know  how  much  Ralph  had 
learnt  of  the  truth. 

"  Wronged  her?  "  he  said  questioningly,  "  what  do  you 
mean?  " 

"  I  mean  that  you  traded  on  her  innocence  and  igno- 
rance of  the  world;  that  you  tried  by  the  most  foul  means 
to  force  her  and  frighten  her  into  marrying  Bruce  Wylie. 
That  you  drove  her  to  escape  from  you,  and  that  but  for 
the  care  and  kindness  of  others  she  might  have  got  into 
great  difficulties." 

A  look  of  relief  crossed  Sir  Matthew's  face.  Ralph  cer- 
tainly did  not  know  that  he  had  speculated  with  Ever- 
eld's  fortune  and  lost  almost  the  whole  of  it. 

"  You  misjudge  me,"  he  said  assuming  a  tone  of  some 
dignity.  "  I  cannot  explain  matters  to  you,  but  I  had 
the  best  intentions  in  desiring  to  see  Evereld  safely  mar- 
ried to  Bruce  Wylie.  For  the  rest,  it  is  highly  probable 
that  you  will  have  your  wish.  You  may  even  see  me 
arrested  to-night  in  Southampton.  However  I  shall  take 
good  care  not  to  remain  long  in  custody.  It  will  be 
merely  the  change  of  foregoing  the  journey  to  Havre  and 
instead  taking  a  much  less  costly  ticket  for  a  journey  to 
the  undiscovered  country  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller 
returns." 


WAYFARING  MEN  321 

He  stood  up  and  began  slowly  to  button  his  overcoat. 
The  easy  tone  in  which  he  had  made  the  quotation,  and 
the  look  of  quiet  determination  on  liis  set  face  made  a 
very  painful  impression  on  Ealph.  His  anger  died  away. 
Horror  and  perplexity  suddenly  overwhelmed  him. 

"  What  am  I  to  do?  "  he  thought  desperately.  "  What 
would  my  father  have  done?  If  it  were  possible  to  imag- 
ine a  man  like  Macneillic  coming  with  such  a  request 
why  I  would  shelter  him  and  help  him.  Must  I  do  as 
much  for  a  man  I  loathe.  It  would  be  more  just  to  let 
him  be  arrested?  Why  should  I  aid  a  guilty  man  to  es- 
cape? It's  conniving  at  his  wickedness.  But  then  again 
it's  true  that  I  ate  his  bread  for  years.  If  he  should  in- 
deed take  his  own  life  I  shall  certainly  wish  I  had  helped 
him.  Good  Heavens!  how  is  a  fellow  to  see  the  right 
and  wrong  of  such  a  case?  "  He  looked  round;  Sir  Mat- 
thew had  folded  his  plaid  about  him  and  now  moved  to- 
wards the  door. 

"  Good-bye  Ealph,"  he  said,  "  many  thanks  for  your 
hospitality."  But  Ralph  though  he  mechanically  took  the 
proffered  hand  spoke  no  farewell,  merely  held  the  hand  in 
his  grasp  while  over  his  curiously  mobile  face  a  hundred 
lights  and  shades  succeeded  one  another. 

"  Wait,"  he  said  at  length,  "  I  cannot  let  you  go  like 
that.  Sir  Matthew."  His  perplexity  and  distress  were  so 
genuine  that  for  the  first  time  in  all  their  intercourse  the 
Company  Promoter  felt  a  sort  of  liking  for  this  boy  whom 
he  had  wronged  and  patronised,  snubbed  and  educated, 
scolded  and  secretly  hated.  He  saw  that  Ealph  had  all  his 
father's  gentleness  and  generosity,  but  a  good  deal  more 
strength  and  warmth  of  temperament  than  the  Eector  had 
ever  possessed. 

In  dire  suspense  he  waited  to  know  his  fate.  There 
was  a  silence  of  some  minutes;  then  Ealph,  who  had 
moved  across  to  the  fireplace  and  had  wrestled  out  his 
problem  with  arms  propped  on  the  mantelpiece  and  face 


322  WAYFARING  MEN 

hidden,  lifted  up  his  head  and  once  more  met  the  gaze 
of  his  father's  old  friend.  Sir  Matthew  was  astonished 
to  see  that  he  looked  pale  and  haggard  with  the  struggle 
he  had  passed  through. 

"  I  will  try  to  help  you,"  he  said  simply. 

"  Then,"  said  Sir  Matthew  with  warmth,  "  I  am  justi- 
fied in  having  come  to  you.  You  are — as  I  thought — 
your  father's  son.    You  are  a  true  Denmead." 

Ealph  for  the  life  of  him  could  not  help  laughing  at 
the  words.  "  You  told  me  that  in  a  different  tone  at  Eil- 
chester,"  he  remarked.  "  The  Denmeads,  I  think  you 
were  good  enough  to  say,  were  always  unpractical  fools, 
aiming  at  impossible  ideals.  I  was  angry  then,  but  after 
all  perhaps  you  are  right.  I  believe  I  am  a  fool  to  help 
you,  but  just  because  you  have  so  wronged  us  in  the  past 
I  am  afraid  to  refuse  lest  there  should  be  anything  of 
private  spite  or  revenge  in  the  refusal.  What  class  do  you 
wish  to  travel  ?    I  will  go  at  once  for  your  ticket." 

"  Take  a  second  return  to  Havre,  it  may  be  a  precau- 
tion," said  Sir  Matthew.  "  The  steamer  does  not  leave 
I  think  till  11.45.  I  did  not  come  down  by  the  boat  train 
for  that  might  very  probably  have  been  watched.  How 
about  disguise?  " 

"  I  will  go  to  the  theatre  on  my  way  back  to  you,"  said 
TJalph,  "  and  bring  a  grey  beard  which  I  think  is  all  that 
wdll  be  needed." 

He  hurried  off,  for  there  was  not  very  much  time  to 
spare.  Now  that  his  decision  was  made  he  was  compa- 
ratively at  rest,  and  as  he  sped  along  the  dark  streets  his 
thoughts  went  back  to  Whinhaven  and  all  the  quiet  fa- 
miliar scenes  he  had  just  visited.  It  was  strange  that  Sir 
Matthew  should  have  encountered  him  just  as  he  re- 
turned from  his  old  home,  and  perhaps,  if  the  truth  were 
known,  the  Company  Promoter  might  never  have  gained 
his  help  had  it  not  been  for  the  softening  influence  of  that 
visit  to  the  old  Rector}'  and  the  "  goodly  heritage." 


WAYFARING  MEN  323 

Having  secured  the  ticket,  he  made  his  way  to  the 
theatre,  where,  early  though  it  was,  Macneillie  had  al- 
ready arrived  and  was  discussing  some  knotty  question 
with  the  assistant  stage  manager  and  the  master  carpenter. 
Ralph  slipped  by  them  and  ran  up  to  his  dressing-room, 
unearthed  the  beard  he  wanted  from  his  dress-basket, 
tucked  liis  make-up  box  under  his  arm  and  hastened 
away. 

"  Where  are  you  off  to?  "  said  Macneillie. 

"  Back  again  in  ten  minutes,  Governor,"  he  replied. 

It  was  no  use  now  to  reflect  how  little  he  liked  doing 
the  work  he  had  undertaken,  and  indeed  when  he  was 
again  in  his  own  room  a  sort  of  pity  for  his  godfather 
stirred  once  more  in  his  heart.  Sir  Matthew  was  so  bro- 
ken down,  so  aged  by  all  that  he  had  gone  through!  The 
nervous  haste  with  which  he  took  the  ticket,  the  hurried 
questions  he  put,  were  so  unlike  the  hard  business  man 
of  old  times,  that  it  was  impossible  not  to  feel  some  com- 
passion for  one  who  was  the  mere  wreck  of  his  former 
self. 

Utterly  exhausted  by  the  high  pressure  at  which  he 
had  lately  been  living,  the  sham  philanthropist  sat  by  the 
fire  and  allowed  himself  to  be  done  for  like  a  child,  watch- 
ing with  a  strange  sort  of  admiration  Ealph's  intent  face 
as  with  deft  touches  to  the  eyebrows  and  accentuating  of 
certain  wrinkles,  he  entirely  transformed  him.  When  the 
process  of  fixing  on  the  beard  with  spirit-gum  was  over 
and  he  looked  at  himself  in  the  glass  Sir  Matthew  hardly 
recognised  his  own  features,  and  saw  before  him  a  man 
at  least  twenty  years  his  senior. 

"  Stoop  a  little  more,"  said  Ralph.  "  That  is  better. 
Now  I  don't  think  even  Lady  Mactavish  would  know 
you." 

Sir  Matthew  sighed  heavily. 

"  It's  mostly  for  her  sake  that  I  care  to  escape  to-night," 
he  said  with  a  'touch  of  real  feeling  in  his  manner.  "  She 
will  always  be  grateful  to  you,  Ralph,  for  helping  me." 


324  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  I  will  order  them  to  bring  )'ou  some  dinner  at  eight," 
said  Ralph,  "  and  if  you  like  I  can  drive  down  to  the  docks 
with  you  at  eleven  or  a  little  after." 

Sir  Matthew  caught  at  this  suggestion,  and  Ralph  ha- 
ving finished  his  work  at  the  theatre,  refused  two  or  three 
invitations  to  supper  and  hurried  back  to  wind  up  the 
most  curious  service  he  had  yet  been  called  upon  to  ren- 
der to  any  man. 

"  Don't  think  too  harshly  of  me,"  said  Sir  Matthew  as 
they  drove  down  to  the  starting-place  of  the  Havre  steam- 
er. "  Remember  that  I  alwa3's  expected  the  speculation 
to  succeed,  that  I  still  think  I  could  have  recovered  myself 
if  only  things  had  not  all  conspired  against  me  at  the  same 
time.  You  Denmeads  can't  understand  the  temptations 
that  assail  an  average  man  in  the  city.  You  were  born 
without  the  love  of  money  in  you,  and  whatever  happens 
you  are  always  strictly  honourable.  Some  men  are  made 
so.  Had  I  not  felt  implicit  trust  in  you  how  should  I 
dare  have  put  myself  now  in  your  power?  You  own  that 
you  would  like  to  see  me  arrested  and  punished,  but  I 
know  that  you  won't  betray  me  for  all  that." 

"  I  don't  wish  to  see  you  punished  now,"  said  Ralph, 
"  and  of  course  I  can't  betray  you.  But  perhaps  the  best 
way  after  all  would  be  for  you  to  give  yourself  uj)  to  jus- 
tice." 

Sir  Matthew  broke  into  a  laugh. 

"  You  might  be  your  father  sitting  there  and  talking! 
It's  exactly  whait  he  would  have  said.  My  dear  fellow 
your  ideals  are  above  me,  and  they  are  about  as  little  likely 
to  be  adopted  by  ordinary  men  of  the  world  as  the  ideals 
in  Plato's  republic.  I  shall  certainly  not  give  myself  up. 
I  shall  instead  try  my  very  best,  for  the  sake  of  others, 
to  recoup  my  losses  and  to  start  afresh." 

A  curiously  sanguine  look  crept  over  his  worn  face,  and 
Ralph  felt  certain  that  like  a  gambler  he  would  return  as 
soon  as  possible  to  his  great  game  of  speculation,  very 


WAYFARING  MEN  325 

likely  persuading  himself,  with  the  ease  of  one  who  has 
posed  hypocritically  for  many  years,  that  he  did  it  all 
from  the  purest  philanthropic  motives. 

"  You  had  better  not  come  on  board  with  me,"  he  said 
as  they  drew  near  to  the  docks.  "  And  on  the  whole  per- 
haps I  had  better  not  take  this  tartan  with  me,  it  is  too 
marked.  I  will  bequeath  it  to  you.  Good-bye  Ealph. 
Many  thanks  to  you  for  what  you  have  done  for  me." 

With  the  first  hearty  grip  of  the  hand  he  had  ever  given 
his  godson  he  bade  him  farewell  and  passing  up  the  gang- 
way on  board  the  steamer  disappeared  from  view.  The 
cold  wintry  wind  came  sweeping  over  the  water;  Ralph 
shivered  and  was  glad  enough  to  wrap  the  highland  maud 
about  him  as  he  paced  up  and  down  watching  to  see  the 
actual  start  of  the  Havre  boat. 

There  was  a  bustle  of  arrival  as  the  passengers  were 
transferred  from  the  boat  train;  he  stood  in  the  shadow 
watching  them,  and  apparently  another  man,  unobtrusive- 
ly dressed,  was  engaged  in  the  same  occupation.  Ealph 
felt  sure  that  the  fellow  was  a  detective;  he  folded  the 
plaid  more  closely  about  his  mouth  and  pulled  his  hat 
over  his  eyes;  the  man  furtively  glanced  at  him  and  drew 
a  few  steps  nearer,  whereupon  the  spirit  of  mischief  and 
love  of  acting  overcame  all  other  recollections,  and  Ealph 
as  though  most  desirous  of  eluding  pursuit,  slipped  qui- 
etly away  into  the  darkness  and  vanished  in  the  crowd. 
The  detective,  with  all  his  suspicions  aroused,  gave  chase, 
but  presently  coming  to  a  place  where  two  streets 
branched  off,  was  baffled  for  a  moment. 

In  a  deep  porch  of  one  of  the  houses  close  by,  a  young 
man  stood  bareheaded,  sheltering  a  flickering  fusee  with 
his  hat  while  he  tried  to  light  his  pipe. 

"Seen  a  man  wrapped  in  a  plaid  go  by  this  way?" 
asked  the  detective  panting. 

"  He  has  not  gone  past  here,"  said  Ealph  coolly. 

The  man  took  the  other  street  and  just  at  that  moment 


3*6  WAYFARING  MEN 

the  sounding  of  a  steam  whistle  and  the  chiming  of  a 
clock  in  a  neighbouring  house  told  Ealph  that  it  was  a 
quarter  to  twelve  and  that  the  boat  for  Havre  was  safely 
underweigh. 

He  quietly  picked  up  the  highland  maud  from  the  well 
shaded  corner  of  the  porch  where  it  had  been  snugly 
tucked  behind  a  pillar,  and  then  walked  back  to  Portland 
Street  musing  over  Sir  Matthew's  fate  and  wondering 
what  news  the  morning  would  bring. 


CHAPTEK  XXX 

"  O,  gear  will  buy  me  rigs  o'  land, 
And  gear  will  buy  me  sheep  and  kye  ; 
But  the  tender  heart  o'  leesome  luve, 
The  gowd  and  siller  canna  buy. 
We  may  he  poor — Robie  and  I  ; 
Light  is  the  burden  luve  lays  on, 
Content  and  luve  bring  peace  and  joy. 
What  mair  hae  queens  upon  a  throne  ?  " — BtJKNS. 

Ralph  slept  late  the  next  day  and  only  escaped  a  fine 
at  Rehearsal  by  the  merciful  rule  which  permitted  ten 
minutes'  grace. 

"  You  have  done  it  by  the  skin  of  your  teeth,"  said 
Macneillie  with  a  laugh,  "  but  of  course  you  found  the 
newspaper  absorbing." 

"  I  have  not  even  seen  it.    What  is  the  news?  " 

"  There's  a  warrant  out  for  the  arrest  of  Sir  Matthew 
Mactavish  on  a  charge  of  swindling,  and  Mr.  Bruce  Wylie 
they  say  is  already  in  Holloway  gaol  having  been  arrested 
last  night." 

"Good  heavens!"  saidRalph,  "Bruce  Wylie  in  prison!" 

"  What  matters  more,"  said  Macneillie,  "  is  that  some 
South  African  company  of  which  they  were  the  leading 
directors  has  failed.  And  this  following  closely  on  the 
failure  of  that  other  Company  with  which  they  were  con- 
nected will  probably  cause  more  failures  to  follow.  Thou- 
sands will  be  ruined.  Mr.  Marriott  was  right  enough 
when  he  darkly  hinted  to  you  that  startling  revelations 
were  in  store.  Well  we  must  get  to  work.  What  a  mercy  it 
is  that  Miss  Ewart  is  safely  out  of  her  guardian's  power." 

A  sudden  panic  seized  Ralph.  What  if  Sir  Matthew 
were  to  come  across  Evereld  in  France  ?  He  had  no  idea 
whereabouts  she  was  but  for  the  first  time  he  wondered 
whether  any  possible  scheme  for  getting  her  again  into 
his  power  could  have  occurred  to  the  Company  Promoter. 


328  WAYFARING  MEN 

On  the  previous  night  sucli  a  thought  had  never  en- 
tered his  head,  he  had  adopted  the  more  reasonable  con- 
chision  that  Sir  Matthew  chose  Havre  merely  as  a  possible 
starting  place  for  America  or  some  distant  port  where  he 
could  safely  shelter.  It  needed  all  his  patience  and  self- 
control  to  wait  through  the  tedious  rehearsal,  and  the 
instant  he  was  free  he  ran  to  the  telegraph  office  and 
begged  'Mr.  Marriott  to  send  him  tidings  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible with  regard  to  Evereld. 

The  answer  set  him  at  rest  before  the  evening's  per- 
formance. Evereld  was  safe  and  well  and  Mr.  Marriott 
begged  that  Ealph  would  if  possible  spend  the  following 
Sunday  at  his  house  since  there  were  many  things  to  dis- 
cuss. 

It  was  now  only  Wednesday  so  he  had  still  some  time 
to  wait,  but  the  worst  of  his  suspense  was  over  and  it  was 
with  a  very  buoyant  heart  that  early  on  Sunday  morning 
he  presented  himself  at  the  old  lawyer's  house.  After  a 
pleasant  breakfast  with  the  kindly  ladies  who  had  always 
taken  an  interest  in  his  career,  he  was  carried  off  to  the 
study  by  Mr,  IMarriott  for  a  business  talk. 

"  I  asked  you  to  come  up  to  town,"  said  the  lawyer, 
"  because  you  have  a  right  to  know  the  whole  truth  of 
things.  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  was  not  only  a  scheming 
speculator,  he  was  a  fraudulent  trustee.  Miss  Ewart's  af- 
fairs were  entirely  in  his  hands,  and  Bruce  Wylie  her  so- 
licitor aided  and  abetted  the  speculations  which  have  dis- 
sipated her  fortune." 

"  The  brutes!  "  said  Ealph.  "  Still  I  can  forgive  them 
that.  It's  their  abominable  scheme  for  trapping  her  into 
a  marriage  that  I  can't  forgive." 

"  Perhaps  you  hardly  realise  things  yet,"  said  the  law- 
yer, "  I  mean  exactly  what  I  say.  Instead  of  being  an 
heiress  she  has  now  nothing  whatever  left  but  a  couple 
of  hundred  a  year  which,  being  her  mother's  property,  and 
in  the  funds,  could  not  be  tampered  with." 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  329 

"If  she  is  much  troubled  about  it  I  am  sorry,"  said 
Ralph.  "  But  personally  I  don't  care  a  straw.  No  one 
will  be  able  to  say  now  that  I  was  running  after  her  for- 
tune. How  soon  do  you  think  we  might  be  married? 
There  is  nothing  to  wait  for  now." 

"  Well,  you  will  have  to  get  the  leave  of  the  Lord  Chan- 
cellor, but  I  don't  suppose  he  will  disapprove,"  said  the 
lawyer  with  a  smile,  *'  if  you  are  in  a  position  to  support 
a  wife  that  is.  I  can't  see  any  objection  to  your  marrying 
before  long  if  Miss  Ewart  desires  it.  Go  and  talk  it  over 
with  Mr.  Hereford,  she  is  under  his  guardianship  and  he 
is  in  town  till  to-morrow  evening." 

"  What  good  luck,"  said  Ralph.  "  I  will  go  round  at 
once  and  try  to  catch  him  before  he  goes  out." 

"  Very  well.  We  shall  meet  again  later  on  then,"  said 
the  old  lawyer  kindly.  "  We  can  put  you  up  for  the  night 
and  then  you  can  let  me  know  what  arrangement  you  and 
Mr.  Hereford  have  arrived  at.  I  will  walk  round  with 
you  to  Grosvenor  Square;  these  bright  frosty  mornings 
are  tempting." 

Ralph  received  a  friendly  greeting  from  Max  Hereford 
who  was  amused  by  his  extreme  haste  and  anxiety  to  win 
the  Lord  Chancellor's  consent  to  his  marriage  with  Ever- 
eld. 

"  You  see,  we  have  been  practically  engaged  for  seve- 
ral months,"  he  argued,  "  and  I  shall  never  have  a  mo- 
ment's peace  about  her  while  she  is  drifting  about  the 
world.  Who  can  tell  whether  we  have  heard  the  last  of 
Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  even  now!  It's  unbearable  to 
think  that  I  don't  even  know  where  she  is." 

"  Well  I  can  set  you  at  rest  on  that  point,"  said  Max 
Hereford  laughing.  "  She  is  on  her  way  to  Ireland,  and 
my  wife  will  take  the  greatest  care  of  her." 

"She  has  left  France?" 

"  Yes,  I  went  myself  to  bring  her  home  and  my  sister- 
in-law  came  with  her.    Dermot  will  spend  the  winter  in 


330  WAYFARING  MEN 

the  south  and  I  am  taking  the  two  girls  across  to  Dublin 
to-morrow  night.    They  are  here  now." 

Ralph's  face  was  a  sight  to  see. 

"  You  must  talk  to  her  and  find  out  what  her  wishes 
are,"  said  his  host  pleasantly.  "  I  am  the  last  man  to 
advise  a  prolonged  engagement.  And  since  Marriott  has 
told  you  that  Miss  Ewart  is  no  longer  an  heiress  but  has 
been  robbed  by  those  precious  scoundrels  of  almost  the 
whole  of  her  fortune,  I  think  it  only  remains  for  you  two 
to  decide  upon  your  own  course  of  action,  subject  of 
course  to  the  approval  of  the  Lord  Chancellor.  She  shall 
always  find  a  home  with  us,  as  she  very  well  knows,  if  you 
think  it  advisable  to  wait." 

"  I  don't  think  it  advisable,"  said  Ralph  eagerly.  "  But 
of  course  I  must  ask  whether  she  is  really  wilhng  to  put 
up  with  the  discomforts  of  a  wandering  life." 

"  I  will  go  and  find  her,"  said  Max  Hereford,  "  and  you 
can  have  an  interview  in  peace." 

Evereld  and  Bride  were  in  the  great  drawing-room, 
both  looking  rather  pale  and  tired  after  their  long  jour- 
ney. 

"  Time  to  go  to  church?  "  asked  Bride  with  a  porten- 
tous yawn. 

"No  my  dear,  you  would  only  go  to  sleep,"  he  said 
teasingly,  "  as  your  brother-in-law  and  Evereld's  guardian 
I  strictly  prohibit  church-going  this  morning.  Rest  and 
be  thankful,  and  don't  forget  that  you  will  be  travelling 
all  to-morrow  night.  Evereld,  if  you  have  energy  enough 
for  the  interview,  ^Ir.  Marriott  has  sent  someone  round 
on  business.  Should  you  mind  just  going  down  to  the 
library?    He  wants  to  put  a  few  questions  to  you." 

Evereld  started  up,  looking  rather  nervous. 

"  How  odd  of  him  to  come  about  business  on  a  Sunday 
morning,"  she  said.  "  I  hope  he  is  not  an  alarming  sort 
of  person.    Will  you  not  come  down  with  me?  " 

"  Well  T  think  on  the  whole  you  had  better  be  alone," 


WAYFARING  MEN  331 

said  Max  Hereford  with  profound  gravity.  "  I  always 
think  it  is  a  mistake  to  have  a  third  person  at  an  inter- 
view.   I  should  only  make  you  more  nervous." 

She  said  no  more,  but  set  off  bravely  for  what  to  her 
was  no  slight  ordeal,  her  first  business  interview. 

The  touch  of  dignity,  which  even  as  a  child  she  had 
possessed,  was  more  noticeable  now  in  the  poise  of  her 
head  and  in  her  whole  manner;  but  the  face  was  not  in 
the  least  altered:  it  was  the  same  sweet  gentle  face  which 
had  for  so  long  reigned  in  Ralph's  heart. 

He  sprang  up  to  greet  her,  and  Evereld  with  a  joyous 
laugh  ran  towards  him. 

"  Oh,  Kalph!  is  it  you?  "  she  cried,  radiant  with  hap- 
piness. "  What  a  tease  Mr.  Hereford  is!  He  told  me  it 
was  someone  from  Mr.  Marriott  on  business! " 

Kalph  laughed  as  he  released  her  from  his  embrace. 
"We  have  not  begun  in  a  very  business  like  way!  "  he 
said,  "  but  it  is  quite  true  that  I  have  come  from  Mr.  Mar- 
riott's house.  He  has  been  telling  me  of  this  fraudulent 
trustee  who  has  treated  you  so  shamefully.  Are  you  very 
angry  with  those  two  rogues?  How  does  it  feel  to  be 
robbed  of  a  fortune?" 

"  It  feels  anything  but  pleasant,"  said  Evereld  warmly. 
"  But  what  I  find  it  hardest  to  forgive  is  the  hypocrisy. 
Of  course  it  is  sad  to  think  that  the  money  which  my 
father  and  grandfather  earned  by  such  hard  work  has  all 
been  wasted,  specially  as  I  thought  it  would  have  been 
useful  to  you  some  day.  Do  you  realise,,  dear,  that  I  shall 
be  quite  poor?  " 

"  I  don't  care  a  fig  about  that,"  said  Ealph.  "  But  when 
I  remember  that  those  vile  knaves  nearly  succeeded  in 
trapping  you  into  a  marriage  which  must  have  been  life- 
long miser}'  to  you,  then — well,  I  feel  like  killing." 

"  But  they  never  did  nearly  succeed,  Ralph,"  she  said 
slipping  her  hand  into  his.  "  I  would  have  died  sooner 
than  marry  Bruce  Wylie.    Oh,  how  good  it  is  to  be  here 


332  WAYFARING  MEN 

with  you,  and  quite  safe!  That  time  at  Glion  was  dread- 
ful." 

"  Do  you  know  that  you  at  nineteen  have  baffled  two 
of  the  cleverest  rogues  of  the  present  time?  "  said  Ralph. 
"  It  is  delicious  to  think  of  that.  How  did  you  think  of 
such  a  plan  and  carry  it  out  so  pluckily?  " 

"  I  don't  know  how,"  said  Evereld.  "  But  I  knew  that 
somehow  I  must  get  away  out  of  their  power.  Then, 
when,  I  was  so  very  unhappy  this  thought  suddenly  came 
to  me  of  Bride  O'Ryan  and  Aimee  Magnay  in  Auvergne, 
and  after  that  it  was  all  quite  simple — except,  indeed,  the 
Continental  Bradshaw  which  nearly  drove  me  dis- 
tracted! " 

"  You  told  me  in  your  letter  about  that  jolly  old  priest 
who  took  care  of  you.  We  must  go  and  see  him  some 
day.    I  should  like  to  thank  him." 

"  Yes,  I  should  so  like  you  to  see  him,  and  you  must 
go  to  Mabillon.  It  is  such  a  dear  old  place.  I  have 
grown  to  love  it  almost  as  if  it  were  my  own  home." 

"  Don't  you  think  we  ought  now  to  come  to  the  business 
part  of  the  interview?  "  said  Ralph  with  a  mirthful  glance. 
"  Do  you  think,  darling,  that  you  are  really  willing  to 
become  the  wife  of  an  actor  who  has  still  to  fight  his 
w^ay  up  the  ladder?  Remember  that  as  yet  you  are  quite 
free,  that  there  is  no  engagement  even  between  us." 

"  The  engagement  really  began  for  me  that  Sunday  at 
Southbourne,"  said  Evereld  shyly. 

"  And  for  me,  too,"  said  Ralph.  "  But  think  once 
more,  darling,  and  try  to  realise  what  it  will  mean.  Ours 
will  have  to  be,  at  any  rate  for  some  time,  a  wandering 
life.  Eor  Macneillie  has  been  so  very  good  to  me  that 
I  must  stay  with  him  and  try  to  repay  him  a  little  for 
all  his  training.  Even  if  a  London  engagement  were 
to  be  offered  me,  and  that  is  not  likely,  I  should  feel 
bound  to  stay  with  him  as  long  as  he  cares  to  have  me." 
"  Oh,  yes  of  course,"  said  Evereld.    "  Why,  we  owe 


WAYFARING  MEN  333 

everything  to  him!    I  wonder  if  he  would  like "  she 

broke  off  rather  abruptly. 

"  What  were  you  going  to  propose?  "  said  Ralph  trying 
to  read  her  face.  There  was  a  wistful  look  in  it  now 
which  he  did  not  understand. 

"  Only  I  have  felt  so  dreadfully  sorry  for  him  since 
the  Fenehurch  Case.  Of  course  I  heard  people  talking 
about  it,  and  I  can't  help  fancying  that  he  must  still  care 
for  Miss  Greville." 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph.    "  It  is  very  rough  on  him." 

"  I  shouldn't  like  to  take  you  away  from  him,  Ralph," 
she  continued,  "  specially  Just  now,  for  I  could  see  quite 
well  at  Southbourne  that  you  are  almost  like  a  son  to 
him;  you  don't  know  what  things  he  said  about  you  when 
you  were  talking  to  Mrs.  Hereford  that  morning.  He 
would  miss  you  dreadfully.  Do  you  think  we  could  still 
be  in  the  same  house  with  him  when  we  are  married?  Or 
should  I  bother  him?  " 

"  I  don't  think  you  would  be  likely  to  do  that,"  said 
Ralph  smiling.  "  When  I  tell  him  about  our  marriage 
I  will  see  how  the  land  lies.  I  wonder,  darling,  whether 
you  will  be  able  to  put  up  with  all  the  discomforts  of  life 
in  a  travelling  company?  " 

"  Why  it  will  be  the  greatest  fun!  "  cried  Evereld. 

"  Well,  I  have  found  it  a  very  jolly  life,  but,  you  know, 
wayfaring  men  naturally  have  to  put  up  with  some  dis- 
comforts. You  will  find  the  endless  packing  and  unpack- 
ing, and  the  settling  into  fresh  lodgings  once  a  week  an 
awful  bore." 

"  But  I  shall  have  you,  dear,"  she  said  happily.  "  And 
nothing  else  will  matter  much." 

"  Then  it  only  remains  for  us  to  win  the  Lord  Chancel- 
lor's consent  and  to  tell  Macneillie,  and  find  out  when' 
he  can  spare  me  for  a  few  days.    You  won't  make  me  wait 
long  will  )'ou  ?  " 

"  I  think  Parliament  meets  on  the  5th,"  said  Evereld, 


334  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  and  we  are  to  come  back  from  Ireland  in  the  first  week 
of  February.  I  know  the  Hereford's  will  let  me  be  mar- 
ried from  this  house,  and  we  will  have  a  quiet  wedding. 
You  see  we  are  both  of  us  alone  in  the  world;  except  the 
^Marriotts  and  Mr.  Macneillie  there  is  really  no  one  to 
a?k,  for  of  course  the  Mactavishs  will  keep  away  from 
town  for  some  time  to  come." 

"  I  wonder  what  will  become  of  poor  Lady  Mactavish," 
said  Ealph.  "  I  fancy  she  has  something  of  her  own,  so 
as  far  as  money  goes  she  will  be  all  right.  But  how  she 
will  feel  the  disgrace!  " 

"  I'm  not  at  all  sure,"  said  Evereld,  "  that  now  real 
trouble  has  overtaken  her  she  won't  give  up  grumbling. 
If  not  I  am  sorry  for  Janet  for  she  will  have  to  bear  the 
brunt  of  it.  Oh,  Ralph!  what  a  strange  world  it  is!  Only 
last  spring  the  Mactavishs  seemed  at  the  very  height  of 
their  prosperity,  and  were  so  enchanted  about  Minnie's 
engagement,  and  now  here  is  Sir  Matthew  ruined  and 
disgraced,  and  Bruce  Wylie  in  prison." 

"  Well,"  said  Ralph,  "  it's  a  much  better  fate  than  the 
one  they  tried  to  force  upon  you.  It's  not  of  them  I 
think,  but  of  the  thousands  they  have  cruelly  injured: 
if  you  had  seen  your  father  die  of  a  broken  heart  as  I  saw 
mine,  you  would  think  prison  and  exile  a  very  light  pun- 
ishment for  those  cursed  speculators." 

"  Yes,"  assented  Evereld,  "  it  was  more  of  the  sudden- 
ness of  the  change  I  was  thinking.  Last  spring,  too,  you 
•were  tramping  through  Scotland,  ill  and  half  starved, 
and  now " 

"  Now  I  am  the  happiest  man  in  the  world,"  said  Ralpli 
his  face  aglow  with  ardent  love. 

And  after  that  they  forgot  all  the  troubles  of  the  past 
and  sat  weaving  delicious  plans  for  the  future,  and  enjoy- 
ing to  the  full  the  happy  present. 

The  next  day  Ralph  rejoined  the  company  in  the 
Isle  of  Wight  and  in  the  evening,  when  supper  was 


WAYFARING  MEN  335 

over,  he  with  some  trepidation  told  his  story  to  the  Man- 


ager. 


Macneillie  had  of  late  been  very  silent  and  depressed 
and  Kalph  hated  having  to  speak  of  his  own  happiness  to 
one  who  was  in  the  depths  of  dejection.  However  with 
an  effort  he  broke  the  ice. 

"  I  saw  Miss  E wart's  new  guardian  Mr.  Hereford  in 
town,"  he  began,  "  and  it  seems  that  almost  the  whole 
of  her  fortune  has  been  lost  by  that  swindling  trustee  of 
hers.  She  has  nothing  left  but  a  couple  of  hundred  a 
year  which  luckily  was  tied  up  and  out  of  Sir  Matthew's 
reach." 

"The  scoundrel!"  exclaimed  Macneillie,  "so  he  had 
the  audacity  to  put  her  fortune  into  his  rotten  companies 
I  suppose?  " 

"  Yes.  However  it's  an  ill  wind  that  blows  nobody 
good.  The  fortune  is  gone  but  so  is  Sir  Matthew,  and  the 
new  guardian  permits  our  engagement  and  sees  no  reason 
why  it  should  be  a  long  one,  he  is  distantly  related  to 
the  Lord  Chancellor  and  thinks  he  will  consent  to  our 
being  married  shortly." 

"  And  what  does  Miss  Ewart  say?  have  you  heard 
from  her?  " 

"  I  have  seen  her,  she  was  passing  through  London  on 
her  way  to  Ireland.  Well,  she  talked  very  sensibly  about 
the  money,  had  hoped  it  might  be  useful  to  us,  but  chiefly 
looked  on  it  in  my  fashion  as  a  hindrance  to  our  immediate 
marriage  now  safely  removed." 

Macneillie's  grave  face  was  suddenly  convulsed  with 
merriment.    He  laughed  aloud  at  this  view  of  the  case. 

"  Was  there  ever  such  a  couple  of  babies!  "  he  said. 
"  Pray  how  do  you  mean  to  live?  " 

"  On  my  salary  to  be  sure,"  said  Ralph,  "  and  on  the 
two  hundred  which  Evereld  has  left." 

"  You  are  over  young  yet  to  get  much  of  a  salary  in 
London,  and,  even  if  we  succeeded  in  getting  you  an  en- 


336  WAYFARING  MEN 

gagement  there,  who  can  tell  how  long  you  would  be 
secure  of  keeping  it?  Then  living  and  rent  is  much 
higher  in  London,  and  Miss  Ewart  has  never  been  used 
to  anything  except  the  very  best." 

"But  why  do  you  speak  of  London?"  said  Ralph. 
"  Do  you  mean  to  give  me  the  sack.  Governor,  if  1 
marry?  " 

Macneillie  turned  and  looked  at  him  in  some  surprise. 

"  I  naturally  concluded  that  having  gained  some  ex- 
perience with  me  you  meant  to  go  off  at  the  earliest  op- 
portunity. That  is  the  way  of  the  world.  You  don't 
mean  that  you  intend  to  bring  your  wife  to  travel  with 
us?" 

"  "Why  not  ?  It  is  often  done.  Harden's  wife  used  to 
go  about  with  him,  tliey  say." 

"  Oh,  of  course  it  is  often  done,  but  after  the  sort  of 
life  Miss  Ewart  has  been  accustomed  to " 

Ralph  broke  in  eagerly. 

"  "We  talked  it  over  very  carefully,  I  told  her  exactly 
what  it  would  be  like,  and  she  is  only  longing  for  the  fun 
of  it  all.    Indeed  she  made  a  very  audacious  proposal." 

"What  was  that?"  said  Macneillie  pleased  and  inter- 
ested in  spite  of  himself. 

"  Her  old  hero  worship  of  you  is  as  keen  as  ever,  she 
thinks  nothing  would  be  more  delightful  than  to  house- 
keep  ft)r  you,  and  pour  out  the  tea — women  always  think 
they  do  those  things  best — It's  quite  a  mistake!  Then, 
too,  she  has  a  notion  that  you  might  miss  me  if  we  went 
off  into  rooms  by  ourselves.  I  told  her  that  was  non- 
sense." 

"  No,"  said  Macneillie,  "  it's  true  enough,  my  boy.  I 
should  miss  you  very  much.  But  all  the  same  I  hardly 
know  whether  it  is  fair  to  you  both  to  spoil  the  early 
days  of  your  married  life.  I  am  growing  a  very  '  dour ' 
sort  of  man  and  that's  a  fact." 

"  You  have  been  a  second  father  to  me,"  said  Ralph, 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  337 

"  and  Evereld  knot's  that:  so  if,  as  she  says,  we  shall  not 
bother  you " 

Macneillie  laughed.  "  If  slic  can  put  up  with  a  '  dour ' 
man  as  third  fiddle,  and  promise  to  speak  the  truth  when 
his  playing  jars  too  much  with  your  harmony  1  should 
like  nothing  better  than  to  have  you  both  with  me.  To 
tell  the  truth  Ealph  I  dread  being  alone  just  now.  By 
the  bye,  have  you  heard  Jack  Carrington  say  anything 
about  his  part  in  the  new  play?  Brinton  had  a  notion 
he  didn't  take  to  it." 

"  Yes,  I  heard  him  say  it  didn't  suit  him,"  said  Ralph. 
"  I  don't  see  why.    It  seems  to  me  rather  a  decent  part." 

"  I'm  not  at  all  sure  that  he  will  renew  his  engage- 
ment," said  Macneillie.  "  And  if  he  leaves,  why  there  is 
no  reason  at  all  why  you  should  not  become  Juvenile 
Lead,  and  I  could  raise  your  salary  to  five  pounds  a  week. 
However  that  is  between  ourselves.  As  for  Carrington  he 
has  been  with  me  three  years  and  is  likely  enough  to  get 
a  good  berth  somewhere  before  long.  When  do  you  two 
hope  to  be  married  ?  " 

"  Early  in  the  spring  if  possible,"  said  Ralph. 

"  "Well,  I  would  never  counsel  a  long  engagement,"  said 
Macneillie  with  a  sigh.  ■  "  You  are  not  obeying  the  ad- 
vice of  Mrs.  Siddons  but,  after  all,  there  are  exceptions 
to  every  rule,  and  Miss  Ewart  is  one  of  a  thousand.  By 
the  bye,  I  never  told  you — little  Miss  Ivy  Grant  wrote 
to  ask  if  I  could  give  her  an  engagement  and  I  have  of- 
fered her  the  part  of  the  French  girl.  She  seems  to  me 
to  have  exactly  the  face  for  it." 

"  Oh,  it  will  suit  her  down  to  the  ground!  "  said  Ralpli 
looking  pleased.  "  I  am  glad  poor  Ivy  has  left  the  De- 
laines, she  was  too  good  for  them.  Evereld  will  be  glad 
that  she  is  to  be  one  of  the  Company." 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

"  So  let  my  singing  say  to  you, 

'  Our  hearts  are  pilgrims  going  home  ; 
Love's  kingdom  shall  most  surely  come 
To  all  who  seek  Love's  will  to  do.'  " 

"  Daydreams." — A.  Gurney. 

In  the  course  of  the  next  four  months  Ralph's  powers 
of  letter-writing  improved  amazingly,  and  thanks  to  those 
love  letters  and  to  the  bright  merry  life  in  the  Hereford 
household  Evereld's  engagement  proved  a  happy  one  al- 
though she  and  her  lover  could  only  spend  two  Sundays 
together  during  the  whole  time.  They  knew  each  other 
60  well  already  however  that  there  was  no  risk  of  any 
misunderstanding  between  them,  and  the  waiting-time 
was  too  short  to  be  very  irksome. 

As  for  Bride  O'Ryan  she  proved  herself  a  friend  worth 
having,  threw  herself  into  all  Evereld's  interests  with  de- 
lightful eagerness,  and  teased  her  just  enough  to  add  a 
little  salt  to  the  entertainment. 

The  Lord  Chancellor  kept  them  for  some  time  in  sus- 
pense, and  furnished  Bride  with  endless  food  for  merri- 
ment. "  He  is  a  very  formidable  guardian,"  she  protested, 
"  and  when  once  you  get  into  his  clutches  it's  very  hard 
indeed  to  get  out  again.  I  wonder  you  dared  to  appeal 
to  him." 

"  It  was  the  only  thing  to  be  done,"  said  Evereld,  "  but 
I  do  wish  he  would  be  quick  and  give  his  consent." 

"  I  have  always  heard,"  said  Bride  provokingly,  "  that 
when  once  things  get  into  chancery  they  stay  there  for 
years  and  years.    Remember  how  it  was  in  Bleak  House." 

"  Well  at  any  rate  Mrs.  Hereford  says  the  Lord  Chan- 
cellor is  most  kindhearted/'  said  Evereld.    "  And  I  know 


WAYFARING  MEN  339 

he  is  fond  of  reading  novels,  so  he  ought  to  take  an  inter- 
est in  the  romances  of  real  life.  And  particularly  he 
ought  to  like  Italph,  for  they  say  he  himself  had  dreadful 
struggles  at  the  beginning  of  his  career  when  he  was  a 
young  barrister  on  circuit." 

However  at  length  the  consent  was  given  and  it  was 
arranged  that,  as  Macneillie's  company  were  not  giving 
any  performances  in  Holy  Week,  Ealph  and  Evereld 
should  be  married  on  Palm  Sunday. 

Evereld  like  a  wise  little  woman  was  determined  not 
to  waste  her  substance  in  the  purchase  of  a  trousseau 
which  would  be  an  endless  trouble  in  their  wandering  life. 

"  I  have  plenty  of  clothes  already,"  she  protested. 
"  All  I  shall  need  is  a  nice  warm  cloak  in  which  I  can 
walk  to  the  theatre  in  the  evening — a  respectable  dark 
sort  of  garment — and  of  course  my  wedding  dress;  I 
won't  be  a  frumpy  bride  in  a  travelling  costume." 

"  No,  have  a  gown  like  the  bride  in  Blair  Leighton's 
picture  '  Called  to  arms,' "  said  Ralph  who  had  come  up 
from  Bristol  to  spend  a  Sunday  at  the  Hereford's  directly 
they  had  returned  to  London.  It's  a  thousand  times  pret- 
tier than  any  of  the  ugly  modern  fashions." 

Evereld  did  not  know  the  picture  but  she  promised 
to  do  her  best  to  copy  it,  and  with  the  help  of  a  clever 
American  maid  of  Mrs.  Hereford's,  and  Bridget's  ready 
assistance,  and  the  advice  of  all  the  female  members  of 
the  household,  her  skilful  fingers  succeeded  in  turning  out 
a  very  good  reproduction  of  the  artist's  design  at  about 
a  fifth  of  the  cost  of  an  ordinary  wedding  dress. 

"  Even  had  I  not  lost  my  money,"  she  said  to  Bride, 
"  I  don't  think  I  could  have  borne  to  spend  much  just 
on  clothes  when  so  many  people  are  ruined  and  half  starv- 
ing from  the  failure  of  all  these  companies." 

That  was  the  greatest  shadow  that  was  cast  over  the 
happiness  of  the  two  lovers.  The  appalling  accounts  of 
the  trouble  caused  by  Sir  ^fatthew's  wrong  doing,  the 
knowledge  that  many  of  the  victims  had  literally  died 


340  WAYFARING  MEN 

from  the  shock,  that  many  more  had  lost  their  reason, 
that  thousands  were  reduced  to  dire  poverty  and  distress 
could  not  but  affect  them. 

Evereld  was  touched  too  by  a  very  kindly  but  sad  letter 
from  Lady  Mactavish.  It  contained  one  sentence  which 
puzzled  her  not  a  little. 

"  What  does  Lady  Mactavish  mean  by  speaking  of  the 
help  you  gave  Sir  Matthew?  "  she  enquired,  a  week  before 
their  wedding  day,  as  she  and  Ealph  sat  together  in  the 
library  where  in  December  they  had  had  that  first  "  busi- 
ness interview." 

"  What  does  she  say  about  it?"  asked  Ealph. 

"  Here  is  her  letter,  it  is  a  message  to  you; — '  Tell 
Ealph  that  I  shall  never  cease  to  be  grateful  to  him  for 
the  help  he  gave  my  husband.    It  saved  his  life." 

"  Well,"  said  Ealph,  "  I  suppose  I  am  free  to  speak 
of  it  since  she  mentioned  it  to  you.  He  came  to  me  at 
Southampton,  indeed  I  met  him  on  my  way  back  from 
Whinhaven,"  and  going  through  the  whole  story  he  made 
her  understand  exactly  what  had  taken  place.  "  To  this 
day  I  don't  know  whether  I  did  right.  But  if  the  same 
thing  were  to  happen  again  I  should  still  probably  help 
him.  It  was  the  dread  of  letting  one's  private  hatred  and 
resentment  bias  one  against  helping  a  desperate  man.  As 
a  matter  of  fact  he  has  by  no  means  escaped  punishment 
by  escaping  from  England.  I  don't  believe  there  is  a 
corner  of  the  earth  where  he  will  long  remain  unmolested. 
He  will  lead  a  miserable,  hunted  life  far  worse  than  the 
life  Bruce  Wylie  leads  in  gaol,  and  with  nothing  really  to 
look  forward  to.  But  I  think  he  was  in  earnest  when  he 
said  that  night  he  w^ould  put  an  end  to  himself  if  they 
arrested  him.  And  I  have  never  regretted  the  little  I  did 
to  shield  him  from  discovery." 

"  You  wouldn't  have  been  yourself  if  you  had  acted 
difTerently,"  said  Evereld.  "  But  it  must  have  been  hard 
work  to  decide." 


WAYFARING  MEN  341 

"  I  hope  I  may  never  again  have  such  a  decision  to 
make,"  said  Ealph.  "  And  all  the  time  there  was  the 
maddening  remembrance  of  what  he  had  made  you  suf- 
fer. What  a  strange,  complex  character  he  had:  there 
was  a  sort  of  greatness  about  him  all  the  time.  I  suppose 
that  was  how  he  deceived  people  in  such  an  extraordinary 
way, — he  managed  to  deceive  himself.  Even  now  a  sort 
of  panic  seizes  me  lest  he  should  somehow  interfere  be- 
tween us.  I  shall  never  feel  at  rest  about  you  till  we  are 
safely  married." 

"  Next  Sunday,"  sh€  whispered.  "  Where  shall  you 
be  all  tills  week?" 

"  At  Manchester,"  he  replied  "  and  as  ill  luck  will  have 
it  there  is  a  matinee  of  the  new  play  and  an  evening  per- 
formance of  '  Much  Ado  '  next  Saturday.  However  there 
will  be  plenty  of  time  to  sleep  in  the  train,  and  I  will 
meet  you  somewhere  for  the  early  service." 

"  Let  it  be  at  the  Abbey  then,  that  seems  specially  to 
belong  to  us.  Bride  and  I  often  go  there  and  we  can  meet 
you  just  by  the  Baptistry  at  the  west  end." 

"  What  time  is  the  wedding  to  be  ?  I  have  not  even 
learnt  that  yet,"  he  said  laughing. 

"  Mrs.  Hereford  arranged  that  it  should  be  at  two,  that 
will  leave  us  plenty  of  time  to  catch  our  train,  and  I  have 
not  told  anyone  where  we  mean  to  go.  That  is  our 
secret." 

"  Yes,  we  ^dll  keep  that  dark,"  said  Ralph.  "  Other- 
wise it  may  be  creeping  into  the  papers.  Did  you  see 
there  was  a  paragraph  about  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish's  late 
ward  in  yesterday's  '  Veracity  '  ?  " 

"  Yes.  We  couldn't  help  laughing  over  it,  but  I  hope 
Janet  and  Minnie  won't  see  it.  Oh,  Ealph!  what  a  night- 
mare the  past  is  to  look  back  on!  and  how  happy  and  safe 
I  am  with  you!  " 

Now  that  all  was  arranged,  she  seemed  perfectly  at 
rest,  able  even  to  enjoy  all  the  manifold  little  plans  and 


342  WAYFARING  MEN 

the  cheerful  bustle  that  heralded  the  wedding-day.  But 
Ealph  dawn  at  Manchester  spent  a  feverishly  anxious 
week,  and  found  it  difficult  indeed  to  concentrate  his 
mind  on  his  work.  Most  managers  would  have  lost  all 
patience  with  him,  but  Macneillie  with  the  genial  breadth 
of  mind  and  the  rare  patience  that  characterised  him  took 
it  all  very  quietly,  and  perhaps  in  his  secret  soul  rather 
enjoyed  the  sight  of  such  unusual  and  unsullied  enthusi- 
asm. 

By  the  time  Saturday  arrived,  Ealph  had  become  very 
"  ill  to  live  with."  He  wandered  about  the  house  imagi- 
ning that  he  was  busy  packing  but  contriving  to  forget  half 
his  possessions.  He  could  hardly  stir  without  singing  or 
whistling,  and  he  would  have  neglected  to  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance at  "  Treasury  "  if  Macneillie  himself  had  not 
reminded  him. 

"  You  are  like  your  namesake  Sir  Ealph  the  Eover," 
said  the  manager,  who  had  been  answering  his  correspond- 
ence as  well  as  he  could  to  a  running  accompaniment  of 
Ealph's  voice. 

"  He  felt  the  cheering  power  of  spring, 
It  made  him  whistle,  it  made  him  sing — " 

"  We  won't  finish  the  quotation.  But  my  dear  fellow 
you  will  be  quite  played  out  to-morrow  if  you  go  on  at 
this  rate." 

"  How  about  the  train?"  said  Ealph.  "  That's  the  thing 
that  bothers  me.  Shall  we  ever  get  through  to-night  in 
time  to  catch  the  mail?  " 

"  For  pity's  sake  don't  begin  to  fuss  about  that  al- 
ready! "  said  ]\racncillie  with  a  comical  expression  about 
the  corners  of  his  mouth.  "  It's  a  mercy  that  marrying 
and  giving  in  marriage  are  not  every-day  occurrences  or  a 
manager's  life  would  not  be  worth  living." 

"  I'll  promise  never  to  do  it  again,  Governor,"  said 
Ealph  with  mock  penitence. 


WAYFARING  MEN  343 

"  "Well  well,"  said  Maeneillie  with  a  patient  shrug  of 
the  shoulders,  "  it  all  comes  in  the  day's  work.  You  will 
understand  now  how  to  render  Claudio's  words  '  Time 
goes  on  crutches  till  love  have  all  his  rites.'  " 

Ralph  thought  it  extremely  obnoxious  of  the  Manches- 
ter folk  to  have  petitioned  for  a  performance  of  "  Much 
ado  about  Nothing  "  on  this  particular  day,  and  though 
he  acted  Claudio  very  well  it  was  always  to  him  an  uncon- 
genial character.  ^lacneillie's  Benedick  was  however 
considered  one  of  his  best  parts  and  though  perhaps  ho 
enjoyed  playing  it  as  little  just  then  as  Ralph  enjoyed 
going  through  the  wedding  scene  on  the  eve  of  his  own 
marriage,  he  was  the  last  man  to  let  his  private  feelings 
interfere  with  his  work  either  as  actor  or  as  manager. 

The  play  was  carefully  rendered,  and  after  a  most  un- 
comfortable rush  and  scramble,  Ralph,  thanks  chiefly  to 
the  help  of  his  many  friends  in  the  company,  found  him- 
self at  the  station  just  as  the  Scotch  mail  steamed  up  to 
the  platform.  Whether  Maeneillie  would  arrive  in  time 
seemed  doubtful,  however  as  the  guard's  whistle  sounded 
he  emerged  from  the  booking  oflEice,  and  with  his  usual 
imperturbably  grave  face  sprang  in  while  the  train  moved 
off. 

Ivy  Grant  and  Myra  Brinton  had  packed  up  a  most 
tempting  little  supper  for  the  two  and  had  taken  care  to 
see  that  it  was  not  forgotten  in  the  hurry  of  the  last 
moment;  and  Maeneillie,  who  always  retained  the  power 
of  enjoying  a  holiday  under  any  circumstances,  proved 
a  very  genial  companion  until  the  advent  of  another  pas- 
senger at  Crewe,  Avhen  they  relapsed  into  silence  and  set- 
tled down  to  sleep. 

The  night  was  stormy;  torrents  of  rain  washed  the  win- 
dows, and  the  wind  howled  and  moaned  as  the  train  sped 
on  through  the  darkness.  Ralph  tried  in  vain  to  follow 
the  example  of  his  two  companions  who,  quite  obli\nous 
of  their  surroundings  slept  composedly  through  all  the 


344  WAYFARING  MEN 

din.  He  was  far  too  much  excited  to  lose  consciousness 
even  for  a  minute.  The  carriage  himp  was  shaded  and, 
in  the  dim  hght,  visions  of  Evereld  kept  rising  before 
him. 

She  was  a  httle  girl  once  more,  in  a  black  frock,  and 
with  soft,  bright  hair  falling  about  her  shoulders. 

"  Are  you  not  hungry?  "  she  said  to  him  confidentially 
as  they  stood  together,  strangers  and  yet  somehow  al- 
ready friends,  in  a  drearily  grand  London  drawing-room. 

Again  she  was  sitting  beside  him  on  the  stairs,  a  fairy- 
like little  figure  in  white,  eating  ice  pudding  supplied  to 
them  by  the  goodnatured  Geraghty.  "  I  somehow  tliink 
your  father  and  mine  will  be  talldng  together  to-night?  " 
she  said,  her  sweet  blue  eyes  looking  as  though  they  could 
see  right  into  that  spirit  world  of  which  she  spoke. 

On  thundered  the  train,  and  yet  another  vision  rose 
before  Ealph.  He  was  in  Westminster  Abbey  and  there 
before  him  he  suddenly  saw  a  face  which  took  his  heart 
by  storm — the  face  of  his  old  playfellow  grown  into  gentle 
gracious  womanhood.  Then  the  same  face,  but  with  wist- 
ful love-lit  eyes  was  lifted  up  to  his  outside  the  house  in 
Queen  Anne's  Gate  kindling  hope  in  his  heart  and  filling 
him  with  a  glow  of  happiness  which  had  carried  him 
through  the  pain  of  the  parting.  These  same  love-lit  eyes 
and  a  yet  more  wonderful  response  of  soul  to  soul  rose 
in  vision  before  him  as  he  recalled  a  certain  summer  after- 
noon by  the  sea  shore.  What  did  it  matter  to  him  that 
the  cold  spring  wind  raged  round  the  carriage  piercing 
every  crevice,  or  that  the  hail-stones  rattled  angrily 
against  the  glass!  He  was  far  away  from  it  all,  seeing 
bhie  waves  and  the  mellow  brown  side  of  a  boat  and  Ever- 
eld's  blushing  face.  The  memory  of  that  August  day 
lasted  him  all  the  rest  of  the  way  to  London;  then  in  the 
chilly  dawn  they  made  their  way  to  the  nearest  hotel, 
where  the  order  of  things  was  reversed  for  Ralph  at  last 
fell  sound  asleep  on  a  sofa  in  the  reading  room  and  it  was 


WAYFARING  MEN  345 

Macneillie  who  was  wakeful  and  saw  visions  of  the  past — 
visions  that  he  dared  not  dwell  upon  because  with  thera 
there  came  the  maddening  recollection  tliat  he  was  close 
to  Christine,  that  it  would  be  the  easiest  thing  in  the 
world,  yet  the  most  fatal,  to  go  that  afternoon  and  call 
upon  her.  What  was  she  doing?  How  did  she  struggle 
on  in  the  difficult  life  on  which  she  had  embarked?  All 
the  craving  to  know,  all  the  longing  to  serve  her  must  be 
crushed  down  in  his  heart.  Alone  she  must  dree  her 
weird.  Alone  he  must  bear  the  anguish  of  her  pain  and 
his  own  bitter  loss. 

Almost  involuntarily,  those  hard  views  of  God  from 
which  years  ago  he  had  been  rescued  by  Thomas  Erskine's 
book  "  The  Spiritual  Order,"  returned  now  to  him,  flood- 
ing his  mind  with  rebellious  thoughts. 

Why  did  all  this  misery  come  to  him?  Why  were 
the  mistakes  and  sins  of  others  visited  upon  him?  Why 
were  the  ways  of  God  so  unequal?  Other  men  prospered. 
Other  men  had  the  desire  of  their  hearts  granted.  Why 
was  he  for  ever  to  be  thwarted?  For  years  he  knew  that 
he  had  made  strenuous  efforts  to  live  uprightly,  yet  there 
seemed  nothing  before  him  but  sorrow;  while  over  yonder 
there  was  a  mere  boy  of  one  and  twenty  about  to  gain  after 
the  briefest  of  struggles  the  woman  he  loved. 

The  Tempter  had  however  defeated  his  own  object  by 
introducing  the  thought  of  Ralph  Denmead.  Macneillie's 
heart  was  too  large  for  jealousy  to  harbour  in  it.  Jea- 
lousy can  only  rest  long  and  comfortably  in  narrow,  and 
cramped  hearts  where  self  love  and  petty  absorption  in 
trifles  has  contracted  the  space. 

As  he  glanced  across  the  room  he  saw  that  the  sun- 
light was  streaming  full  upon  the  sleeper,  he  got  up  and 
lowered  the  blind  pausing  for  a  minute  by  the  sofa  to 
look  at  his  companion.  Ralph  was  sound  asleep,  and  his 
untroubled,  boyish  face  was  worth  looking  at  if  only  for 
its  peace.     To  Macneillie  it  suggested  many  thoughts. 


346  WAYFARING  MEN 

He  remembered  his  first  impression  of  Ealph,  lying  in  the 
last  stage  of  misery  on  the  banks  of  the  Leny,  and  he  de- 
lighted to  think  that  partly  by  his  aid  the  lad  had  battled 
through  his  difficulties  and  had  got  his  foot  firmly  planted 
on  the  ladder  of  success. 

There  is  nothing  so  strange  in  life  as  the  manner  in 
which  a  kindly  deed  re-acts  in  a  thousand  subtle  ways 
on  the  doer.  And  now,  as  had  been  the  case  before,  Mac- 
neillie  was  lured  back  to  life  by  the  one  he  had  helped 
long  ago.  The  hard  thoughts  passed,  he  stood  there 
in  the  bright  spring  morning  strong  once  more  in  the 
belief  that  the  eternal  patience  of  the  All-Father  schools 
each  son  in  the  best  possible  way. 

Sitting  down  to  the  writing-table  he  filled  up  a  couple 
of  hours  with  answering  the  letters  of  the  previous  day, 
then  when  the  time  came,  set  off  with  Ralph  to  the  Abbey 
and  finding  the  way  to  the  Baptistry  unbarred  waited 
there  beside  the  busts  of  ^faurice  and  Kingsley,  lifted  a 
degree  nearer  to  that  Light  and  Love  of  which  their  epi- 
taphs spoke  by  the  struggle  he  had  just  passed  through. 

They  were  joined  here  by  Mrs.  Hereford,  Bride,  and 
Evereld,  and  Macneillie  thought  he  had  never  seen  any- 
thing more  winning  than  Evereld's  eager  welcome  of  her 
lover.  He  felt  very  much  in  harmony  with  their  happi- 
ness as  they  all  went  together  into  the  choir,  and  indeed 
throughout  the  day  the  depression  which  had  over- 
whelmed him  since  he  had  received  the  bad  news  at 
Brighton  was  banished  by  the  unalloyed  bliss  of  the  two 
who  were  just  stepping  into  their  goodly  heritage  of  mu- 
tual love  and  companionship. 

It  was  a  thoroughly  unconventional  wedding  with 
merely  the  merry  Irish  family  in  the  house,  with  Bride 
and  the  two  little  Hereford  girls  for  bridesmaids,  and 
Macneillie  and  an  old  school  follow  who  had  returned 
from  Canada  just  in  time  to  be  Ralph's  best  man,  as  the 
only  outsiders. 


WAYFARING  MEN  347 

Of  course,  when  at  two  o'clock  they  drove  to  the  church, 
it  was  crowded  with  spectators,  for  the  marriage  of  the 
heiress  who  had  been  defrauded  of  her  fortune  by  Sir 
Matthew  Mactavish  had  found  its  inevitable  way  into  the 
hands  of  the  paragraph-mongers.  But  then,  as  Macneillie 
remarked,  a  marriage  ought  to  take  place  before  a  con- 
gregation, and  it  would  have  been  a  thousand  pities  if 
this  particular  marriage  had  been  smuggled  through  in 
secret  at  some  chilly  hour  of  the  morning  in  an  empty 
church. 

"  As  it  was,"  he  added,  "  some  idle  London  folk  had  the 
chance  of  singing  '  All  people  that  on  earth  do  dwell '  to 
the  old  hundredth,  and  that's  a  chance  that  doesn't  often 
come  to  us  in  these  degenerate  da3-s  of  flabby  modern 
hymns.  All  the  women,  moreover,  will  go  away  per- 
suaded in  their  o^ti  minds  that  the  conventional  wedding 
dress  of  modem  days  is  ugly  and  that  the  old-world  dress 
of  Mrs.  Ralph  Denmead  is  far  more  artistic." 

There  was  one  thing,  however,  which  baffled  the  Press. 
It  described  the  service  with  gusto,  and  gave  the  most 
elaborate  details  as  to  the  dresses,  but  it  could  not  dis- 
cover where  the  Bride  and  Bride-groom  intended  to  spend 
the  honeymoon.  It  was  reduced  at  length  to  the  desperate 
expedient  of  a  good  round  lie,  and  said  that  they  left  en 
route  for  the  continent. 

Ralph  and  Evereld,  who  had  kept  this  detail  entirely 
to  themselves,  laughed  contentedly  as  they  read  this  fable 
in  their  snug  little  sitting-room  at  Stratford-on-Avon. 

"We  knew  a  trick  worth  two  of  that,"  said  Ralph. 
"Fancy  rushing  off  to  the  Continent  for  a  week!  It 
never  seemed  to  occur  to  anyone  that  Stratford  was  the 
ideal  place  for  an  actor's  honeymoon.  We  are  not  going 
to  leave  our  Mecca  entirely  to  the  Yankees." 

Evereld  hoped  she  thought  enough  of  Shakspere  as 
they  wandered  about  the  quaint  old  place  and  enjoyed  the 
bright  spring  weather  in  the  lovely  country  around. 


348  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  It  was  a  delightful  thought  of  yours  to  come  here," 
she  said, ''  one  likes  to  have  a  beautiful  background  for  the 
happiest  time  of  one's  life.  But  after  all,  darling,  it's 
very  much  in  the  background,  we  should  really  be  as  happy 
in  the  black  country." 

*'  Of  course,"  said  Ralph  laughing.  "  And  there'll  be 
plenty  of  the  black  country  to  come  by  and  bye.  You 
have  no  idea  what  dreary  towns  we  have  sometimes  to 
go  to.  Are  you  not  afraid  when  you  look  forward  to  that 
sort  of  thing?  " 

"  Not  a  bit,"  she  said  with  a  radiant  face.  "  Don't  I 
know  now  what  the  song  means  when  it  speaks  of  '  The 
desert  being  a  paradise'?  That  used  to  seem  such  non- 
sense in  the  old  days!    But  with  you  Ralph " 

She  was  interrupted.  They  had  been  walking  beside 
the  pollarded  willows  by  the  river,  Evereld's  hands  were 
full  of  the  early  spring  flowers,  cowslips  and  primroses 
and  delicate  white  anemones  which  they  had  gathered  in 
the  country.  She  looked  up,  for  a  daintily  dressed  little 
lady  suddenly  stood  before  her,  having  deserted  a  camp- 
stool  and  easel  though  she  still  retained  palette  and 
brushes  in  one  hand. 

"Miss  Ewart!  "  she  exclaimed  with  a  faint  touch  of 
American  intonation  which  instantly  recalled  Evereld  to 
Olion.  "  I  am  so  delighted  to  meet  you  again,  and  in  this 
spot  of  all  others,  this  sacred  shrine  which  you  lucky  Eng- 
lish people  possess,  though  we  would  give  millions  of  dol- 
lars if  we  could  but  transplant  it  right  over  the  ocean! " 

"  How  glad  I  am  to  see  you! "  said  Evereld  warmly. 
"  I  shall  never  forget  your  kindness  last  September.  May 
I  introduce  my  husband  to  you?  Mr.  Denmead,  Miss 
Upton." 

"  Ah,"  Fa  id  Miss  Upton  shaking  hands  with  him,  "  I 
congratulate  Mr.  Denmead  very  warmly.  And  to  think 
that  the  third  volume  which  you  were  to  have  sent  me 
in  America  Rhould  greet  me  here  by  the  banks  of  the 
Avon!    Ttisdelirrhtful!" 


WAYFARING  MEN  349 

"  You  have  not  gone  back  as  soon  as  you  expected," 
said  Evereld. 

"  Well,  no.  You  see  the  storm  at  Glion  somehow 
cleared  the  atmosphere  and  many  things  were  altered  by 
it  sooner  or  later,"  said  ]\Iiss  Upton  her  bright  eyes 
twinkling  with  fun.  "  In  fact,  thanks  to  you,  another 
romance  began  there,  and  next  vear  when  Mr.  Lewisham 
has  taken  his  degree  at  Oxford,  why  he'll  be  coming  over 
the  ocean  to  Xew  York,  and  we  have  an  idea  of  following 
the  good  example  which  you  and  'Mv.  Denmead  have  set 


us." 


"  How  glad  I  am!  "  said  Evereld.  "  That  is  charming. 
Some  day  we  all  four  ought  to  meet  at  Glion,  for  it  is 
hard  that  I  should  have  any  disagreeable  associations  left 
with  that  lovely  little  place.    You  ought  to  see  it  Ralph." 

"  Why  not  plan  a  meeting  here  on  one  of  Shaksperc's 
birthdays?  We  may  possibly  be  here  for  some  of  the 
performances  in  the  ^Memorial  theatre." 

"  Yes,  that's  a  better  idea  still,"  agreed  both  Evereld 
and  the  American  girl. 

And  after  walking  back  to  the  town  together  they  part- 
ed on  the  best  of  terms. 

That  evening  a  note  and  a  little  packet  were  brought 
to  Evereld.    They  were  from  Miss  Upton. 

"  Just  one  line  in  great  haste,"  the  letter  ran,  "  we  are 
off  to  Woodstock  to-night,  being  as  they  call  us  true 
Yankee  rushers.  You  told  me  you  were  not  going  to 
set  up  house  yet  awhile,  but  wherever  you  are  I  know 
you  will  drink  afternoon  tea  as  you  did  in  Switzerland. 
Stir  your  tea  with  these  Stratford  ^femorial  spoons  and 
drink  to  our  next  merry  meeting  in  the  birthplace  of  the 
Swan  of  Avon.    With  all  good  wishes 

"  Yours  cordially, 

"  Minnie  K.  Upton. 
"  I  hope  my  romance  will  have  as  satisfactor}''  an  end  to 
its  third  volume  as  yours." 


350  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  What  a  jolly  sort  of  girl  she  seems,"  said  Ralph  as 
Evereld  read  him  the  note,  "  but  that  postscript  is  all 
wrong,  darling.  We  are  not  at  the  end  of  things,  we  are 
only  just  at  the  beginning." 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

"  Heart,  are  you  great  enough 
For  a  love  that  never  tires  ? 
O  heart,  are  you  great  enough  for  love  ? 
I  have  heard  of  thorns  and  briers." 

Tennyson. 

On  Easter  Monday,  Ralph  and  Evereld  joined  the  com- 
pany at  Liverpool.  It  was  not  without  misgivings  that 
tlie  little  bride  found  herself  suddenly  launched  into  a  life 
of  which  she  knew  so  little,  and  as  they  drove  through 
the  busy  streets  from  the  station  she  had  time  to  conjure 
up  many  fears.  They  were  all  however  fears  lest  she 
should  fall  short  in  some  way,  prove  an  indifferent  house- 
keeper, be  unable  to  make  friends  with  Ralph's  friends, 
or  find  herself  in  other  people's  way.  But  all  anxiety  was 
lost  sight  of  when  they  reached  the  little  house  in  Sey- 
mour Street  and  found  Macneillie  with  his  genial  voice 
and  fatherly  manner  waiting  to  receive  them.  He  was  a 
man  who,  from  his  kindly  considerateness  and  from  a  cer- 
tain easy  friendliness  of  tone,  quickly  made  new  comers 
feel  at  home  with  him. 

Perhaps  he  intuitively  guessed  that  Evereld's  position 
would  not  be  without  its  difficulties,  and  he  did  his  very 
utmost  to  smoothe  the  way  for  her.  He  at  once  allowed 
her  to  feel  that  she  could  be  of  use. 

"I  am  glad  you  caught  the  early  train  from  Strat- 
ford," he  said  as  they  sat  down  to  a  two  o'clock  dinner. 
"  No,  you  must  take  the  head  of  the  table  for  the  future. 
I  shall  claim  the  privilege  of  an  old  man  and  sit  at  the 
side.  As  for  Ralph  he  is  a  very  decent  carver  and  we  will 
leave  the  work  to  him.  The  Brintons  were  in  here  just 
before  you  came,  talking  over  the  reception  which  we 
give  this  afternoon." 


352  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  A  reception?  "  said  Evereld  sliyl}-. 

"  Yes,  in  the  Foyer.  You  have  just  come  in  the  nick 
of  time.  I  was  wanting  help.  Let  me  see,  you  were  intro- 
duced to  the  Brintons  I  think  at  Southbourne." 

"  Yes,  and  to  Mr.  Oarrington,  and  Miss  Eva  Carton." 

"  They  have  both  left  us.  Well,  you  will  soon  get  to 
know  us  all." 

Evereld  hoped  she  might  do  so,  but  she  was  utterly 
bewildered  by  the  end  of  the  reception,  where  she  had 
been  introduced  to  most  of  the  company  and  to  a  number 
of  residents  and  people  of  the  neighbourhood.  As  to  rec- 
ognising llalph's  fellow  artists  when  she  saw  them  again 
in  the  evening  in  stage  attire,  it  was  impossible.  How- 
ever they  good-naturedly  told  her  they  were  quite  used 
to  being  cut,  and  she  found  Ivy  Grant  a  very  pleasant 
companion  and  had  a  good  deal  of  talk  with  her  between 
whiles. 

Ivy  had  greatly  improved  since  the  days  of  the  Scotch 
tour;  trouble  had  developed  her  in  an  extraordinary  way; 
she  had  grown  more  gentle  and  refined,  and  she  still  re- 
tained her  old  winsomeness  and  was  a  general  favourite. 
Thanks  to  Ealph's  straightforwardness  that  morning  at 
Forres,  she  had  quickly  awakened  from  her  first  dream 
of  love,  and  was  none  the  worse  for  it.  In  fact,  it  had 
perhaps  done  her  good,  she  would  not  lightly  lose  her 
heart  again,  and  her  standard  was  certain  to  remain  high. 
Moreover  she  knew  that  Ralph  would  always  be  her 
friend,  and  she  felt  curiously  drawn  to  Evereld,  who  was 
quite  ready  to  respond  to  her  advances. 

There  was  something  very  fascinating  to  Evereld  in  the 
novelty  and  variety  of  this  new  life;  before  many  days  had 
passed  she  began  to  feel  quite  as  if  she  belonged  to  the 
company.  She  sympathised  keenly  with  the  desire  to 
have  good  houses,  listened  with  interest  to  all  the  discus- 
sions and  arrangements,  and  soon  found  herself  on  friend- 
ly terms  with  almost  every  one. 


WAYFARING  MEN  353 

"  There  is  one  man,  though,  that  I  can't  make  out  at 
all,"  she  remarked  one  evening.  "  He  always  seems  to 
disappear  in  such  an  odd  way.    I  mean  Mr.  Kawnleigh." 

Macneillie  and  Kalph  both  laughed. 

"  You  would  be  very  clever  indeed  if  you  contrived  to 
know  anything  about  him,"  said  the  ]\Ianager.  "  He 
chooses  to  keep  himself  wrapped  in  a  mystery.  There's 
not  a  creature  among  us  who  can  tell  you  anything  about 
him.  He's  the  cleverest  low  comedian  I  have  ever  had; 
but  his  habits  are  peculiar.  To  my  certain  knowledge 
his  whole  personal  wardrobe  goes  about  the  world  tied  up 
in  a  spotted  handkerchief.  He  has  no  make-up  box  but 
just  carries  a  stick  of  red  rouge  and  powdered  chalk 
screwed  up  in  paper  like  tobacco  in  his  pocket.  He  puts 
it  on  with  his  finger  and  rubs  it  in  with  a  bit  of  brown 
paper.  Nobody  knows  in  any  town  where  he  lodges,  but 
he  is  always  punctual  at  rehearsal,  and  if  in  an  emergency 
he  happens  to  be  needed,  you  can  generally  find  him 
smoking  peacefully  in  the  nearest  public-house.  He  has 
never  been  heard  to  speak  an  unnecessary  word,  and  in 
ordinary  life  looks  so  like  a  death's  head  that  he  goes  by 
the  name  of  '  Old  IMortality.'  " 

Evereld  laughed  at  this  curious  description. 

"  He  is  the  sort  of  man  Charles  Lamb  might  have  writ- 
ten an  essay  about,"  she  said.  "  Now  let  me  see  if  I  have 
grasped  the  rest  of  them.  The  retired  Naval  Captain, 
Mr.  Tempest,  is  the  heavy  man,  isn't  he?  Then  there 
5ire  those  two  young  Oxonians — they  are  Juveniles.  And 
Ralph's  friend,  Mr.  Mowbrav,  the  briefless  barrister,  what 
is  he?" 

"  He's  the  Eesponsible  man,"  said  Macneillie. 

'''  Mr.  Brinton,  I  know,  is  the  old  man.  And  ^Ir.  Thorn- 
ton, what  do  you  call  him?  " 

"  Oh,  he  is  the  Utility  man.  Come  you  would  stand 
a  pretty  good  examination." 

Those  spring  days  were  very  happy  both  to  Ealph  and 


354  WAYFARING  MEN 

Evereld,  while  Macneillie  who  had  been  anxious  as  to  the 
little  bride's  comfort  and  well-being,  began  to  feel  entirely 
at  rest  on  that  score. 

It  cheered  him  not  a  little  to  have  her  bright  face  and 
thoughtful  housewifely  ways  making  a  home  out  of  each 
temporary  resting  place.  Her  great  charm  was  her  ready 
sympathy  and  a  certain  restfulness  and  quietness  of  tem- 
perament very  soothing  to  highly-strung  artistic  natures. 
When  the  two  men  returned  from  the  theatre,  it  was  de- 
lightful to  find  her  comfortably  ensconced  with  her 
needlework,  ready  to  take  keen  interest  in  hearing  about 
everything,  and  always  giving  a  pleasant  welcome  to  any 
visitor  they  might  bring  back  with  them.  There  was 
nothing  fussy  about  Evereld:  she  was  the  ideal  wife  for 
a  man  of  Ralph's  eager  Keltic  temperament. 

During  July  the  company  dispersed  and  Ralph  and 
Evereld  went  to  stay  with  the  Magnays  in  London.  It 
was  not  until  the  re-assembling  in  August  that  the  dis- 
comforts of  the  new  life  began  to  become  a  little  more 
apparent.  Perhaps  it  was  the  intense  heat  of  the  weather, 
perhaps  the  contrast  between  the  lodgings  in  a  particu- 
larly dirty  manufacturing  town  and  the  Magnays'  ideal 
home  with  all  its  art  treasures,  and  its  dainty  half  foreign 
arrangement.  Certainly  Evereld's  heart  sank  a  Httle  when 
she  began  to  unpack. 

Their  bedroom  faced  the  west  and  the  burning  sunshine 
seemed  to  steep  the  little  room  in  drowsy  almost  tropical 
heat.  She  felt  sick  and  miserable.  Opening  the  dressing- 
table  drawer  she  found  that  her  predecessor  had  left  be- 
hind some  most  uninviting  hair-curlers,  and  some  grease- 
paint. Of  course  to  throw  these  away  and  re-line  the 
drawer  was  easy  enough;  but  by  the  time  she  had  done 
it  and  had  arranged  all  their  worldly  goods  and  chattels 
she  felt  tired  out  and  was  glad  to  lie  down,  though  she 
did  not  dare  to  scrutinise  the  blankets  and  could  only  try 
to  find  consolation  in  the  remembrance  that  the  sheets 


WAYFARING  MEN  355 

at  least  were  quite  immaculate,  and  the  pillow  her  own. 
She  was  roused  from  a  doze  by  Ralph's  entrance. 

"  Come  and  get  a  little  air,  darling,"  he  suggested. 
"This  room  is  like  an  oven.  Oh!  we  have  got  such  a 
fellow  in  Thornton's  place!  the  most  conceited  puppy  I 
ever  set  eyes  on.  What  induced  Macneillie  to  give  him 
a  trial  I  can't  think.  lie  is  quite  a  novice  and  though 
rolling  in  gold,  he  has  never  thought  of  offering  a  prem- 
ium. I  never  saw  a  fellow  with  so  much  side  on.  He 
ought  to  be  kicked!  " 

"  Who  is  he?  "  said  Evereld  laughing,  as  she  put  on  her 
hat  and  prepared  to  go  out. 

"  He's  the  younger  son  of  an  earl,  I  believe,  and  rejoices 
in  the  name  of  Bertie  Vane-Ffoulkes.  He  patronises  the 
manager  as  if  he  were  doing  him  a  great  favour  by  joining 
his  company,  and  he  is  already  plaguing  poor  Ivy  with 
attentions  that  she  would  far  rather  be  without." 

They  went  to  the  public  garden  hoping  to  find  a  seat 
in  the  shade  where  they  could  watch  the  tennis,  and  here 
they  came  across  Ivy  and  Miss  Helen  Orme,  who  usually 
shared  lodgings.  In  attendance  on  them  walked  a  rather 
handsome  young  man  with  a  pink  and  white  complexion 
and  an  air  of  complacent  self-esteem.  Ivy  catching  sight 
of  them  hastened  forward  with  joyful  alacrity  though  her 
cavaliere  servente  was  in  the  middle  of  one  of  liis  most 
telling  anecdotes. 

"How  delightful  to  meet  you  again!"  she  exclaimed 
taking  both  Evereld's  hands  in  hers.  "  I  have  been  long- 
ing to  see  you.  Now,  if  that  obnoxious  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes 
will  but  take  himself  off  there  are  so  many  things  I  want 
to  say  to  you." 

The  Honorable  Bertie,  however,  never  thought  him- 
self in  the  way,  he  begged  Ralph  to  introduce  him  to  Mrs. 
Denmead  and  kindly  patronised  them  all  for  the  next 
hour,  chatting  in  what  he  flattered  himself  was  a  very 
pleasant  and  genial  manner  about  himself,  the  new  cos- 


356  WAYFARING  MEN 

tumes  he  had  specially  ordered  from  Abiram's  for  his  first 
appearance  on  the  stage,  the  great  success  of  the  private 
theatricals  at  his  father's  place  in  Southshire  when  he 
had  acted  with  dear  Lady  Dunlop  Tyars,  and  various 
anecdotes  of  high  life  which  he  felt  sure  would  interest 
"  these  theatrical  people." 

At  last  to  their  relief  he  sauntered  back  to  his  hotel. 

"  I  wonder  whether  he  really  acts  well?  "  said  Evereld 
musingly.  "  He  seems  to  have  a  very  high  opinion  of  his 
own  powers.  I  thought  all  the  men's  costumes  were  pro- 
vided by  the  management." 

"  So  they  are,"  said  Ralph  with  a  smile.  "  But  nothing 
worn  by  just  a  common  actor  would  do  for  him,  I  suppose. 
He  must  have  the  very  best  of  everything  specially  made 
'for  him  by  Abiram,  and  strike  envy  into  the  hearts  of  all 
the  rest  of  us." 

"  We  were  so  comfortable  and  friendly  before  he  came," 
said  Ivy.  "  And  now  I  am  sure  everything  will  be  differ- 
ent. He's  an  odious,  conceited,  empty-headed  amateur, 
not  in  the  least  fit  to  be  an  actor.  I  wish  he  would  go 
back  to  his  private  theatricals  in  the  country  with  his 
Duchesses,  and  leave  us  in  peace." 

"  Poor  fellow!  perhaps  he  really  means  to  work  hard 
and  improve,"  said  Evereld. 

"  You  are  always  charitable,"  said  Ivy.  "  As  for  me  I 
believe  we  shall  never  have  a  moment's  peace  till  Mr. 
Vane-Ffoulkes  has  gone." 

Her  prophesy  was  curiously  fulfilled,  for  it  was  wonder- 
ful how  much  trouble  and  annoyance  the  wealthy  ama- 
teur contrived  to  cause. 

Macneillie  bore  with  him  with  considerable  patience, 
being  determined  that  in  spite  of  his  many  peccadillos 
he  should  have  a  fair  chance.  He  taught  him  as  much 
as  it  is  possible  to  teach  a  very  conceited  mortal,  gave  him 
many  hints  by  which  it  is  to  be  feared  he  profited  little, 
and  quietly  ignored  his  rudeness,  sometimes  enjoying  a 


WAYFARING  MEN  357 

good  laugh  over  it  afterwards  when  he  described  to  Ever- 
eld  what  had  taken  place. 

Evereld  was  one  of  those  people  who  are  always  receiv- 
ing confidences.  It  was  partly  her  very  quietness  which 
made  people  open  their  hearts  to  her.  They  knew  she 
■would  never  talk  and  betray  them,  and  there  was  some- 
tiiing  in  her  face  which  inspired  those  who  knew  her  to 
come  and  pour  out  all  their  troubles,  certain  of  meeting 
sympathy  and  that  sort  of  womanly  wisdom  which  is  bet- 
ter than  any  amount  of  mere  cleverness. 

Even  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  himself  was  driven  at  last  by 
the  growing  consciousness  of  liis  unpopularity  to  tell  her 
of  his  difficulties. 

"  I  don't  know  how  it  is,  Mrs.  Denmead,"  he  said  one 
day,  when  they  chanced  to  be  alone  for  a  few  minutes, 
"  I  am  not  gaining  ground  here.  These  stage  people  are 
very  hard  to  get  on  \vith." 

*'  But  they  are  your  fellow  artists,"  said  Evereld  lifting 
her  clear  eyes  to  liis,  "  why  do  you  call  them  '  these  stage 
people '  as  though  they  were  a  different  sort  of  race?  " 

"  Well  you  know,"  said  the  Honorable  Bertie,  "  of 
course  you  know  it's  not  quite — ^not  exactly — the  same 
thing.  Your  husband  is  of  a  good  family,  I  am  quite 
aware  of  that,  but  many  of  the  others,  why,  you  know, 
they  are  just  nobodies." 

Evereld's  mouth  twitched  as  she  thought  how  Mac- 
neillie  would  have  taken  off  this  characteristic  little 
speech. 

"  But  art  knows  nothing  of  rank,"  she  said  gently. 
"  Who  cares  about  the  parentage  of  Raphael,  or  Dante, 
or  David  Garrick,  or  Paganini?  " 

The  earl's  son  looked  somewhat  blank. 

"  That's  all  very'  well  theoretically,"  he  said.  "  But  in 
practice  it's  abominable.  I  believe  there's  a  conspiracy 
against  me.  They  are  jealous  of  me  and  don't  mean  to 
let  me  have  a  fair  chance." 


3S8  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Oh,  ^Ir.  Macneillie  is  so  just  and  fair  to  all,  that  could 
never  be,"  said  Evereld  wamily. 

"  The  manager  is  the  worst  of  them,"  said  the  Hon- 
orable Bertie,  deep  gloom  settling  on  his  brow.  "  I  hate 
his  way  at  rehearsal  of  making  a  fool  of  one  before  all  the 
rest  of  the  company." 

"  But  you  can't  have  a  rehearsal  all  to  yourself,"  said 
Evereld  laughing.  "  You  should  hear  what  they  say  of 
other  managers  at  rehearsal,  who  swear  and  rave  and 
storm  at  the  actors." 

"  I  shouldn't  mind  that  half  as  much,"  said  Mr.  Vane- 
Ffoulkes.  "  It's  just  that  cool  persistent  patience,  and 
that  insufferable  air  of  dignity  he  puts  on  that  I  can't 
stand.  What  right  has  Macneillie  to  authority  and  dig- 
nity and  all  that  sort  of  tiling?  Why  I  believe  he's  only 
the  son  of  a  highland  crofter." 

"  I  don't  think  you'll  find  your  ancestors  any  good  in 
art  life,"  said  Evereld.  "  It  is  what  you  can  do  as  an  actor 
that  matters,  and  as  long  as  you  feel  yourself  a  different 
sort  of  flesh  and  blood  how  can  you  expect  them  to  like 
you?  " 

The  Honorable  Bertie  was  not  used  to  such  straight 
talking  but,  to  do  him  justice,  he  took  it  in  very  good 
part,  and  always  spoke  of  Mrs.  Ralph  Denmead  with  re- 
spect, though  he  still  cordially  hated  her  husband.  Ralph 
unfortunately  occupied  the  exact  position  which  he  de- 
sired, he  always  coveted  the  Juvenile  Lead,  and  Macneil- 
lie cruelly  refused  to  give  him  anything  but  the  smallest 
and  most  insignificant  parts  until  he  improved. 

"  How  can  I  make  anything  out  of  such  a  character  as 
this?  "  he  grumbled,  "  Why  I  have  only  a  dozen  sentences 
in  the  whole  play." 

"  You  can  make  it  precisely  what  the  author  intended 
it  to  be,"  said  the  Manager.  "  It  is  the  greatest  mistake 
in  the  world  to  judge  a  part  by  its  length.  You  might 
make  much  of  that  character  if  only  you  would  take  the 


WAYFARING  MEN  359 

trouble.  But  it's  always  the  way,  no  heart  is  put  into  the 
work  unless  the  part  is  a  showy  one;  you  go  through  it 
each  night  like  a  stick." 

There  was  yet  another  reason  why  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes 
disliked  Ealph.  In  the  dulness  and  disappointment  of  his 
theatrical  tour  he  solaced  himself  by  falling  in  love  with 
Ivy  Grant:  and  Ivy  would  have  nothing  to  say  to  him, 
refused  his  presents,  and  took  refuge  as  much  as  possible 
with  Ralph  and  Evereld,  who  quite  understanding  the 
state  of  the  case  did  all  they  could  for  her. 

The  more  she  avoided  him,  however,  the  more  irre- 
pressible he  became,  until  at  last  she  quite  dreaded  meet- 
ing him,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  friendship  of  the 
Denmeads  and  Helen  Orme  slie  would  have  fared  ill. 

It  was  naturally  impossible  for  the  Honorable  Bertie 
to  confide  to  Evereld  how  cordially  he  detested  her  hus- 
band; he  turned  instead  to  Myra  Brinton,  who  being  at 
that  time  in  a  somewhat  uncomfortable  frame  of  mind  was 
far  from  proving  a  wise  counsellor.  Though  in  the  main  a 
really  good  woman,  M3'ra  had  a  somewhat  curious  code 
of  honour,  and  she  was  not  ■without  a  considerable  share 
of  that  worst  of  failings,  jealousy.  If  any  one  had  told  her 
in  Scotland  that  she  should  ever  live  to  become  jealous 
of  little  Ivy  Grant,  she  would  not  have  believed  it  pos- 
sible. But  latterly  Ivy  had  several  times  crossed  her  path. 
She  was  making  rapid  strides  in  the  profession,  and  was 
invariably  popular  with  her  audience.  This  however  was 
less  trj'ing  to  Myra  than  the  perception  that  a  real  friend- 
ship was  springing  up  between  Ivy  and  young  Mrs.  Den- 
mead,  who,  it  might  have  been  expected  would  have  more 
naturally  turned  to  her.  She  did  not  realise  that  to  the 
young  bride  there  seemed  a  vast  chasm  of  years  between 
them,  that  a  woman  of  seven  and  twenty  seemed  far  re- 
moved from  her  wa3'S  of  looking  at  everything,  and  that 
Evereld  dreaded  her  criticism  and  turned  to  Ivy  as  the 
more  companionable  of  the  two. 


36o  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

Deep  down  in  her  heart,  moreover,  poor  Myra  could  not 
help  contrasting  her  own  lot  with  that  of  Kalph  Den- 
mead's  wife.  The  little  bride  was  so  unfeignedly  happy 
and  had  such  good  cause  for  perfect  trust  and  confidence 
in  her  husband  that  Myra  sometimes  felt  bitterly  towards 
her.  Not  that  Tom  Brinton  was  a  bad  fellow,  there  was 
much  about  him  that  was  likeable;  but  the  lover  of  her 
dreams  had  ceased  to  exist,  she  had  settled  down  into 
married  life  that  was  perhaps  as  happy  as  the  average  but 
lliat  nevertheless  left  much  to  be  desired.  Her  husband 
would  never  have  dreamt  of  ill-treating  her,  indeed  in  his 
way  he  was  fond  of  her  still.  But  it  has  been  well  said 
that  unless  we  are  deliberately  kind  to  everyone,  we  shall 
often  be  unconsciously  cruel,  and  it  was  for  lack  of  this 
kindly  tenderness  that  Myra's  life  was  becoming  more 
and  more  difficult.  She  used  to  watch  Ralph's  unfailing 
care  and  thoughtful  considerateness  for  Evereld  with  an 
envy  that  ate  into  her  very  heart.  She  was  jealous  more- 
over with  a  jealousy  that  only  a  woman  can  understand 
of  the  hope  of  motherhood  which  began  to  dawn  for  Ever- 
eld. It  seemed  to  her  that  everything  a  woman  covets  was 
given  to  this  young  wife,  who  had  known  so  little  of  the 
hardness  of  life,  the  fierce  struggle  for  success,  which  had 
made  her  own  lot  so  different.  And  as  time  went  on  a 
sort  of  morbid  sentimentality  crept  into  her  admiration 
for  Ralph,  and  she  found  herself  beginning  to  hate  the 
sight  of  Evereld  in  a  way  which  would  have  horrified  her 
had  she  made  time  to  think  out  the  whole  state  of  things. 
It  was  at  this  time  that  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  turned  to  her 
for  advice.  He  could  not  by  any  possibility  have  chosen 
a  worse  confidante. 

"Why  is  little  Miss  Grant  always  running  after  the 
Denmeads?  "  he  complained.  "  I  can  never  get  two  words 
with  her.  If  it's  not  the  wife  she  is  with,  then  it's  the 
husband.  I  can't  think  what  she  sees  in  that  boy,  but 
whenever  he's  in  the  theatre  she's  always  talking  to  him." 


WAYFARING  MEN  361 

"  Yes,  she  is  very  unguarded,"  said  Myra  with  a  sigh. 
"  Of  course  he  has  kuown  her  since  she  was  a  child,  and 
he  was  very  good  in  helping  her  on  when  we  were  in 
Theophilus  Skoot's  company.  But  she  ought  to  be  more 
careful,  for  there  is  no  doubt  that  she  was  very  much  in 
love  with  him  in  the  old  days.  You  would  be  doing  a 
good  deed  if  you  separated  them  a  little."  She  had  not 
in  the  least  intended  to  say  anything  of  this  sort,  the 
words  seemed  put  into  her  mouth,  and  somehow  when 
once  they  were  said  she  vehemently  assured  herself  that 
she  fully  belie^'ed  them.  Not  only  so  but  she  determined 
to  act  up  to  her  belief. 

"  I  never  saw  any  one  so  fascinating,"  said  the  Hon- 
orable Eertie,  who  was  very  badly  hit  indeed.  "  She's 
a  regular  Httle  witch.  I  assure  you,  Mrs.  Brinton,  I  w^ould 
marry  her  to-morrow  if  I  were  only  lucky  enough  to  iiave 
the  chance.  But  she  hasn't  a  word  to  throw  at  me,  and  if 
she  is  not  with  the  Denmeads,  why  she  will  stick  like  a 
leech  to  Miss  Orme,  and  how  is  a  man  to  make  love  to  a 
girl  when  that's  the  way  she  treats  him?  I  wonder 
whether  she  still  cares  for  that  fellow  Denmead?  If  so, 
couldn't  you  give  his  wife  a  hint,  then  perhaps  she  would 
not  have  so  much  to  do  with  her  and  I  might  possibly 
stand  a  chance  of  getting  a  hearing." 

"  "Well,"  said  Myra,  rather  startled  by  this  suggestion. 
"  I  could  do  that  if  you  like,  but  of  course,  it  would  lead 
to  a  quarrel  between  them." 

"  Oh,  never  mind  what  it  leads  to,"  said  Mr.  Vane- 
Ffoulkes.  "  It  w-ill  at  least  give  me  a  fair  chance  with  her. 
Isn't  it  hard,  Mrs.  Brinton,  that  when  a  fellow  doesn't 
care  a  straw  the  girls  are  all  dying  for  love  of  him,  and 
when  at  last  he  does  care  why  the  fates  ordain  that  he 
shall  fall  in  love  with  a  girl  who — well — who  doesn't  care 
a  straw  for  him." 

M}Ta  could  have  found  it  in  her  heart  to  laugh  at  this 
lame  ending,  and  at  the  sudden  reversal  of  fortune  which 


362  WAYFARING  MEN 

had  so  greatly  depressed  the  earl's  son,  but  after  all 
there  was  something  genuine  about  the  poor  fellow  that 
touched  her:  for  the  time  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  really  was 
very  much  in  love  with  Ivy.  It  was  the  sort  of  passion 
that  might  possibly  exist  for  about  six  months,  it  might 
even  prove  to  be  a  "  hardy  annual/'  but  it  was  certainly 
not  a  passion  of  the  perennial  sort. 

She  promised  that  she  would  do  her  best  for  him. 

"  If  he  is  -an  empty-headed  fellow,"  she  reflected,  "  he 
is  at  least  rich  and  well-conneoted.  It  would  be  a  remark- 
ably good  marriage  for  Ivy  Grant,  and  I  will  do  what  I 
can  to  further  it." 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

"  When  ye  sit  by  the  fire  yourselves  to  warm, 
Take   care   that  your   tong^ies   tlo   your   neighbours   no 
harm." 

Old  CnnryrET-piECE  Motto. 

Christmas  had  passed  and  they  were  engaged  for  a 
fortnight  at  Mardentown,  one  of  the  large  manufacturing 
places.  It  was  on  a  frosty  clear  morning  early  in  the  new 
year  that  Myra  set  out  from  her  rather  comfortless  lodg- 
ings to  call  on  Evereld.  There  was  no  rehearsal  that  day 
and  she  happened  to  know  that  both  Macneillie  and  Ealph 
were  out,  so  that  the  coast  would  be  clear  for  her  opera- 
tions. 

"  I  shall  be  doing  a  kindness  to  her  as  well  as  to  Ivy 
and  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes,"  she  reflected.  "  She  is  so  very 
innocent,  it  is  high  time  she  understood  a  little  more  of 
the  ways  of  the  world." 

Evereld  was  sitting  by  the  fire  in  a  cheerful-looking 
room  into  which  the  wintry  sun  shone  brightly;  flowers 
were  on  the  table,  Christmas  cards  daintily  arranged  were 
on  the  mantelpiece;  there  was  a  homelike  air  about  the 
place  which  Myra  at  once  noted,  and  she  looked  with  a 
pang  at  the  little  garment  at  which  the  young  wife  was 
working  when  she  entered. 

"  My  husband  told  me  Mr.  Macneillie  was  at  the  the- 
atre so  I  came  in  to  have  a  chat  with  you,"  she  said  kiss- 
ing her  affectionately.  "  You  are  looking  pale  this  morn- 
ing, dear,  this  wandering  life  is  getting  too  hard  for  you." 

"  Oh,  I  am  very  well,"  said  Evereld  brightly,  "  and  as 
to  the  travelling  I  shall  not  have  much  more  of  that  for  at 


364  WAYFARING  MEN 

the  beginning  of  February  I  have  promised  to  go  and  stay 
with  Mrs.  Hereford  in  London.  They  all  say  it  is  right, 
so  I  mustn't  grumble,  but  I  do  so  hate  leaving  Ralph." 

"  He  can  come  to  you  for  the  Sundays,"  said  Myra. 
"  Where  has  he  gone  to  this  morning?  " 

"  He  and  Mr.  Mowbray  have  hired  bicycles  and  have 
gone  over  to  Brookiield  Castle.  They  will  have  a  beauti- 
ful ride  for  it  is  so  still  and  the  roads  will  be  nice  and 
dry.  Ivy  wanted  to  go  too,  but  she  couldn't  manage  to 
get  a  bicycle,  they  were  all  engaged." 

"  "Well  it  sounds  unkind,"  said  Myra.  "  But  I  am  not 
sorry  that  she  was  forced  to  stay  behind.  Ivy  is  getting 
too  careless  of  appearances." 

"Do  you  really  disapprove  of  bicycling  for  women?  " 
asked  Evereld.  "  One  has  hardly  had  time  to  get  used 
to  it,  but  it  seems  such  capital  exercise,  and  no  one  could 
look  more  graceful  in  cycling  than  Ivy  does." 

"  Oh,  I  don't  mean  that,  dear,"  said  Myra  colouring  a 
little.  "  I  really  hardly  know  how  to  explain  things  to 
you,  for  you  seem  so  young  and  confiding,  and  so  ready 
to  tnist  everyone.  But  you  see  Ivy  rather  runs  after  your 
husband.  Of  course  she  always  was  a  bom  flirt,  I  don't 
think  she  can  help  it.  But  people  are  beginning  to  notice 
it  and  to  talk,  they  are  indeed." 

"  I  wonder  any  one  can  be  so  foolish  as  to  think  such 
things,"  said  Evereld  with  a  little  air  of  matronly  dignity 
which  became  her  very  well.  "  Every  one  belonging  to 
the  company  must  surely  understand  that  Ivy  is  so  much 
with  U3  because  she  is  being  actually  persecuted  by  that 
provoking  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes." 

"Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  is  not  so  bad  as  people  make  out, 
he  may  be  vain  and  conceited  I  quite  admit,  but  he  really 
is  in  love  with  Ivy  and  she  is  very  foolish  to  run  away 
from  him  on  every  possible  occasion.  It  would  be  a  capi- 
tal marriage  for  her.  "Why,  if  the  present  heir  were  to 
die,  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkos  comes  into  the  title,  Ivy  forgets 
that." 


WAYFARING  MEN  365 

"  She  positively  dislikes  him,"  said  Evereld.  "  You 
surely  wouldn't  wish  her  to  marry  such  a  man  as  that 
just  for  his  position?  " 

"  No,  but  I  think  she  might  be  a  little  more  civil  to 
him  and  at  least  give  him  a  hearing.  And  quite  apart 
from  that  I  really  think,  dear,  you  are  ill-advised  in  ha- 
ving her  so  much  here." 

Evereld's  clear  blue  eyes  looked  questioningly  and  in 
a  puzzled  fashion  at  her  visitor. 

"  But  we  like  her  and  she  likes  us.  Why  shouldn't  she 
come?  " 

"  Because  it  would  be  much  wiser  for  her  not  to  come," 
said  Myra.  "  I  know  her  past,  and  you  do  not.  If  you 
are  wise  you  will  not  have  Ivy  for  your  intimate  friend." 

A  troubled  look  began  to  steal  over  Evereld's  face,  she 
was  not  well,  and  was  very  ill-fitted  just  then  to  take  a 
calm  dispassionate  view  of  anything.  i\ryra's  words  and 
hints  agitated  her  all  the  more  because  she  only  half  un- 
derstood them.  Vaguely  she  felt  that  a  shadow  was  creep- 
ing over  her  cloudless  sky.  She  shivered  a  little  and  drew 
closer  to  the  fire. 

"  Please  tell  me  just  what  you  mean,"  she  said  rather 
piteously.  "  I  know  of  nothing  against  Ivy,  and  she  has 
been  Ralph's  friend  for  a  long  time,  so  naturally  I  like 
her." 

"  Naturally! "  exclaimed  Myra,  whose  jealous  nature 
found  it  hard  to  credit  such  a  statement.  "  That  only 
shows  how  innocent  you  are,  how  little  you  understand 
the  world.  Why  to  my  certain  knowledge  that  girl  is  in 
love  with  your  husband." 

Evereld's  eyes  dilated,  she  stared  at  the  speaker  for  a 
moment  in  mute  consternation.  Then  suddenly  she  be- 
gan to  laugh  but  not  quite  naturally,  her  tears  were  at 
no  great  distance. 

"  How  ridiculous!  "  she  said.  "  I  wonder  you  can  say 
such  a  thing  to  me.  Ivy!  who  has  been  quite  foolishly 
fond  of  me!    Oh,  indeed  yon  are  mistaken!  " 


366  WAYFARING  MEN 

"The  mistake  is  yours!"  said  Myra,  "Ivy  is  a  very 
coaxing  little  thing  and  would  of  course  find  it  most  con- 
venient to  have  your  friendship.  She  is  clever  and  mana- 
ging, and  always  contrives  to  get  her  own  way,  and  then 
of  course  she  is  a  born  actress.  I  have  no  doubt  she  was 
delighted  to  vow  an  eternal  friendship  with  you.  It's 
just  what  would  suit  her  best." 

Evereld's  heart  sank,  she  seemed  to  be  suddenly 
plunged  into  an  entirely  new  region,  where  doubt  and 
suspicion  and  jealousy  and  evil  intention  made  the  whole 
atmosphere  dark  and  oppressive.  Xot  since  her  difficul- 
ties at  Glion  had  she  felt  so  miserable  and  so  utterly  per- 
plexed. 

"  You  see,  dear,"  said  Myra,  "  I  knew  them  both  in  the 
days  of  the  Scotch  tour,  and  from  the  first  understood 
how  things  were.  I  daresay  your  husband  hasn't  told  you 
about  it,  men  forget  these  things,  but  there  is  no  doubt 
whatever  that  Ivy  was  in  love  with  him.  I  saw  it  then 
clearly  enough,  and  I  see  it  now.  Be  persuaded  by  me, 
and  for  your  own  sake  and  for  her  good  don't  have  her 
much  with  3'ou.  I  am  older  than  you,  and  I  know  the 
harm  that  a  fascinating  little  witch  like  Ivy  can  work. 
Of  course  I  say  all  this  to  you  in  confidence,  but  I  thought 
it  was  only  kind  to  give  you  a  hint.  You  have  not  been 
to  the  theatre  just  lately." 

"  No,  I  am  rather  tired  of  this  play,"  said  Evereld.  "  I 
am  glad  we  are  to  have  a  Shaksperian  week  at  Bath." 

"  Yes,  '  legitimate  '  is  rather  refreshing,  isn't  it?  "  said 
Myra.  "  But  the  dresses  are  a  bother.  I  have  to  devise 
something  new  for  Portia  in  the  casket  scene,  for  the  old 
one  was  ruined  the  last  time  I  wore  it.  There  were  six 
of  us  dressing  in  one  room,  and  there  was  hardly  space 
to  turn  round;  the  train  is  all  over  grease-paint.  The 
men  are  lucky  in  having  their  costumes  provided  by  the 
management.  Well,  good  bye,  dear,  take  care  of  your- 
self. And  be  sure  to  let  me  know  if  there  is  any  tiling  I 
can  do  for  you." 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  367 

Evereld  thanked  her  ratlier  faintly  and  was  not  sorry 
to  find  herself  alone  once  more.  She  felt  giddy  as  she 
tried  to  recall  exactly  what  JNIyra  had  said  and  hinted. 
Could  it  possibly  be  true?  And  if  so  what  was  she  to  do? 
Tliat  there  was  a  vein  of  silliness  in  Ivy  she  had  long  ago 
discovered;  now  and  then  she  said  things  which  jarred 
a  little  on  her,  but  the  more  she  hagl  seen  of  her  the  more 
she  had  learnt  to  like  her,  and  her  perfectly  open  and  ra- 
tional friendship  for  Ealph  had  always  seemed  to  her  most 
natural.  Was  it  true  that  all  the  time  Ivy  had  been  act- 
ing? Myra's  arguments  returned  to  her  with  a  force 
which  she  vainly  tried  to  struggle  against.  Had  she  been 
able  to  go  out  in  the  sunshine  for  a  brisk  walk  probably 
she  would  have  taken  a  more  quiet  view  of  the  state  of 
affairs,  but  she  was  not  well  enough  for  that,  and  the  more 
she  brooded  over  it  all  the  more  miserable  she  became. 

Just  when  her  visions  were  at  the  darkest  the  bell  rang 
and  the  little  servant  ushered  in  Ivy  herself, 

"  What  luck  to  find  you  alone,"  said  the  girl  brightly, 
"  I  was  afraid  Mr.  Macneillie  would  perhaps  be  in.  I'm 
in  the  worst  of  tempers,  for  on  this  perfect  day  there 
wasn't  a  lady's  bicycle  to  be  had,  and  there  are  those  two 
lucky  men  enjoying  themselves  while  I  am  left  in  this 
smoky  town." 

"  I  was  sorry  to  hear  you  had  been  disappointed,"  said 
Evereld,  going  on  with  her  work.  But  somehow  as  she 
said  the  words  she  knew  that  she  was  not  so  sorry  as  she 
had  at  first  been.  Things  had  changed  since  Myra's  visit. 
She  even  fancied  a  difference  in  Ivy.  Was  there  some- 
thing more  than  cleverness  in  that  winsome  face?  Was 
there  a  certain  craftiness  in  those  ever-changing  eyes? 
She  began  to  think  there  was,  and  being  a  bad  hand  at 
concealing  her  thoughts,  her  manner  became  constrained 
and  she  was  extremely  unresponsive  to  the  flood  of 
bright  talk  which  Ivy  poured  out. 

"  Something  is  worrying  you,"  said  the  girl  at  la.?t 


3GS  WAYFARING  MEN 

growing  conscious  of  the  curious  difference  in  her  friend's 
manner.  "'Don't  worry!  Try  Sunlight!'  as  the  soap 
advertisement  tells  you.  Come  out  with  me  for  a  turn  be- 
fore dinner.  Walking  is  the  sovereign  remedy  for  all  ills. 
We  used  to  try  it  in  Scotland  when  we  were  half  starv- 
ing-" 

Evereld  hated  herself  for  it,  but  she  was  so  overwrought 
and  miserable  that  even  the  use  of  that  word  "  we  "  grated 
upon  her.  She  declined  the  invitation,  and  her  manner 
grew  more  and  more  cold  and  repellent. 

Ivy  was  puzzled  and  hurt. 

"Have  you  been  alone  all  the  morning?"  she  said, 
wondering  if  perhaps  that  accounted  for  her  friend's 
manner, 

"  No,  I  have  had  a  call  from  Mrs.  Brinton,"  said  Ever- 
eld colouring  a  little. 

"  Of  all  perplexing  people  she  is  the  most  perplexing," 
said  Ivy.  "  One  day  I  like  her,  the  next  she  is  perfectly 
detestable.    What  did  she  talk  about?  " 

Evereld  faltered  a  little. 

"  Oh,  of  various  things,"  she  said  blushing.  "  She  is 
getting  ready  a  new  dress  for  the  Casket  scene." 

"  By  the  bye,"  said  Ivy  springing  up,  "  that  reminds 
me  that  I  must  ask  her  for  the  pattern  of  a  sleeve  I  want 
for  Jessica.    I  know  she  has  it." 

And  with  friendly  farewells  which  Evereld  could  not 
find  it  in  her  heart  to  respond  to  at  all  cordially  she  took 
her  departure. 

No  sooner  was  she  out  of  the  house  than  Evereld's  con- 
science began  to  prick  her.  She  had  felt  very  unkindly 
towards  Ivy,  and  the  wistful  look  of  surprise  and  bewil- 
derment which  she  had  seen  on  the  girl's  face  as  she  ut- 
tered her  cold  farewells  kept  returning  to  her.  What  if 
Ivy  went  now  to  see  Myra  and  learnt  that  they  had  been 
talking  her  over?  What  if  after  all  this  story  of  Myra's 
was  quite  mistaken,  or  possibly  one  of  those  half  truths 


WAYFARING  MF.N  369 

tliat  are  almost  worse  and  more  damaging  than  utter 
falsehoods  ? 

Shame  and  regret  and  sclf-rcproach  began  to  struggle 
with  the  wretched  suspicions  that  had  been  sown  in  her 
heart  by  Myra's  words,  and  her  long  repressed  tears  broke 
forth  at  last, — she  sobbed  as  if  her  heart  would  break. 

"  How  miserably  I  have  failed,"  she  thought  to  her- 
self. "  How  ready  I  was  to  think  evil,  and  to  jump  to 
the  very  worst  conclusions.  It  would  be  likely  enough 
that  she  should  have  cared  for  Ealph  who  was  so  kind 
to  her  when  she  was  a  child — I  sliould  only  love  her  all 
tiie  more  if  she  had  loved  him.  Why  must  I  fancy  at  the 
first  hint  that  there  is  sin  in  her  friendship  for  him  now? 
I  won't  believe  it — I  won't — I  won't." 

She  took  up  her  work  again  and  tried  to  sew,  but  her 
tears  blinded  her,  for  she  remembered  how  much  harm 
might  already  have  been  done  by  her  angry  resentment 
and  her  ready  suspicions.  Ever  since  the  hope  of  mother- 
hood had  come  to  her  she  had  tried  her  very  utmost  to 
rule  her  thoughts,  to  dwell  only  on  what  was  beautiful 
and  of  good  report,  to  read  only  what  was  healthy  and 
ennobling,  to  see  beautiful  scenery  whenever  there  was 
an  opportunity,  and  in  every  way  to  try  harder  than  usual 
to  live  up  to  her  ideal;  she  knew  that  in  this  way  the 
character  of  the  next  generation  might  be  sensibly 
affected. 

Well,  she  had  failed  just  when  failure  was  most  bitter 
to  her,  and  being  now  thoroughly  upset  she  had  to  strug- 
gle with  all  sorts  of  nervous  terrors  and  anxieties  and 
forebodings,  in  which  her  only  resource  was  to  repeat  to 
herself  the  words  of  the  Ewart  motto  "  Avaunt  Fear!  " 
which  had  stood  her  in  good  stead  during  her  flight  from 
Sir  Matthew. 

It  was  the  sound  of  the  servant's  step  on  the  stairs 
and  the  ominous  rattle  of  the  dinner  things  which  finally 


370  WAYFARING  MEN 

checked  her  tears;  she  was  not  going  to  be  caught  cry- 
ing, and  hastily  beat  a  retreat  into  lier  bedroom. 

"  If  they  see  me  like  this  they  will  imagine  Ralph  is 
unkind  to  me! "  she  thought,  shocked  at  her  own  reflec- 
tion in  the  looking-glass.  "  Oh  dear,  how  I  wish  he  were 
at  home!  And  yet  I  don't,  for  if  he  were  here  Just  now  I 
know  I  couldn't  resist  telling  him  everything,  and  that 
would  worry  him;  and  he  shall  not  be  worried  just  now 
when  he  is  so  specially  busy  studying  '  Hamlet.'  " 

Macneillie  returning  from  the  theatre  soon  after,  could 
not  but  observe  at  their  ttte  d  tUe  dinner  that  his  com- 
panion had  been  crying,  but  like  the  sensible  man  he 
was  he  affected  utter  blindness  and  did  the  lion's  share 
of  the  talking. 

"  Can  you  spare  me  a  little  time  this  afternoon,"  he 
said  as  he  rose  from  the  table.  "  I  want  to  drive  over 
to  a  village  about  three  miles  from  here,  the  day  is  so 
bright  I  don't  think  you  would  take  cold." 

Evereld  gladly  assented,  and  Macneillie,  who  as  an  old 
traveller  was  an  adept  at  making  people  comfortable  with 
rugs  and  cushions,  tucked  her  comfortably  into  the  best 
open  carriage  he  had  been  able  to  secure  and  was  glad 
to  see  that  the  fresh  air  soon  brought  back  the  colour  to 
her  face  and  the  light  to  her  eyes. 

"  You  and  I  have  both  had  a  dull  morning.  I  have 
been  bored  to  death  with  people  incessantly  wanting  to 
speak  to  me,  and  you  I  suppose  have  been  bored  by  being 
too  much  alone." 

"  No,"  she  said,  "  I  have  not  been  much  alone;  Mrs. 
Brinton  came  to  me  first,  and  after  she  had  gone  Ivy  came. 
They  both  of  them  vexed  me  somehow,  but  I  think  it 
was  my  own  fault." 

Macneillie  meditated  for  a  few  minutes.  He  had  not 
studied  character  all  these  years  for  nothing,  and  Ever- 
fcld's  transparent  honesty  and  straightforwardness  made 
her  easy  reading.    Myra  he  had  known  for  a  long  time 


WAYFARING  MEN  371 

both  before  her  engagement  and  since  her  marriage;  she 
was  a  much  more  complex  character,  but  he  understood 
her  thoroughly  and  had  noted,  though  she  little  guessed 
it,  that  she  was  jealous  both  of  Evereld's  happiness  and 
of  Ivy's  success  in  her  profession:  moreover  he  was  not 
without  a  shrewd  suspicion  that  she  was  just  a  little  bit 
in  love  with  Ealph  herself. 

"  Life  is  never  altogether  easy  when  a  great  number  of 
people  are  going  about  the  world  together,"  he  said. 
"'  There  are  sure  to  be  little  rubs.  If  you  have  ever  seen 
anything  of  military  life  you  will  understand  that.  The 
officers'  wives  and  families  are  pretty  sure  to  have  their 
quarrels  and  little  differences  now  and  then,  but  in  the 
main  there  is  a  certain  loyalty  that  binds  them  together. 
It  is  just  the  same  with  us.  I  have  known  people  not  on 
speaking  terms  for  weeks,  but  they  generally  have  a  good- 
natured  reconciliation  before  the  end  of  the  tour." 

"  Yes,"  said  Evereld,  "  I  can  quite  fancy  that.  And 
I  know  if  I  hadn't  been  horrid  and  suspicious  things 
would  have  been  different  this  morning.  Please  don't 
say  anything  about  it  to  Ealph,  I  don't  want  him  to  know 
that  I  had  been  crying." 

Macneillie  could  not  resist  teasing  her  a  little. 

"What!  I  thought  you  were  a  model  husband  and 
wife,  and  had  no  secrets  from  each  other!  And  here  you 
are  pledging  me  to  silence!  " 

She  laughed  at  his  comical  expression,  and  felt  much 
better  for  laughing. 

"  We  do  tell  each  other  everything  as  a  rule,  but  this 
could  only  vex  him  and  make  things  uncomfortable  all 
round,  and  just  now  he  is  studying  so  very  hard  for  his 
first  attempt  at  Hamlet.  I  really  believe  he  is  more  Ham- 
let than  himself;  he  seems  to  think  of  him  all  day  long 
and  even  in  his  sleep  he  has  taken  to  muttering  bits  of 
his  part.  It's  quite  uncanny  to  hear  him  in  the  dead  of 
night! " 


372  WAYFARING  MEN 

She  was  quite  her  cheerful  self  again  and  nothing  more 
was  said  as  to  what  had  passed  that  morning.  Macneillie 
however  turned  things  over  in  his  mind  and  that  evening 
at  the  theatre  he  reaped  the  harvest  of  a  quiet  eye,  and 
began  to  understand  the  precise  state  of  affairs. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

•*  O  for  a  lieart  from  self  set  free 
And  doubt  and  fret  and  care, 
Lig-ht  as  a  bird,  instinct  with  glee, 
Tliat  fans  the  breezy  air. 

"  O  for  a  mind  whose  virtue  moulds 
All  sensuous  fair  display. 
And,  like  a  strong  commander,  holds 
A  world  of  thoughts  in  sway  !  " 

rROFESSOR  BlACKIE. 

'^What  has  happened  to  Evereld?"  said  Ivy  that 
morning,  as  Myra  graciously  cut  out  for  her  a  second 
jiattern  of  the  sleeve  which  she  wanted.  "  I  have  been  to 
see  her  and  it  was  like  hurling  words  at  a  stone  wall.  I 
couldn^t  have  imagined  that  she  would  ever  be  like  that.'* 

"  Oh,  you  have  just  been  in  there/'  said  Myra  reflec- 
tively.   "  I  am  sorry  you  went  to-day." 

"  What  has  come  over  her?  "  said  Ivy.  "  She  seemed 
almost  to  dislike  me." 

"  I  think  she  was  a  little  upset  by  something  she  had 
heard,"  said  Myra,  handing  the  pattern  to  her  visitor. 

"  What  can  she  have  heard  that  should  make  her  dif- 
ferent to  me?  "  said  Ivy  hotly. 

"  Well,  my  dear,"  said  Myra  with  a  swift  glance  at  her, 
"you  know  people  are  beginning  to  say  that  you  run 
after  Mr.  Denmead,  and  I  daresay  she  knows  that  you 
cared  for  him  when  we  were  in  Scotland.  Though  very 
innocent  she  can  hardly  help  putting  two  and  two  to- 
gether, and  it  is  but  natural  that  she  should  resent  your 
making  friends  with  her  for  the  sake  of  being  able  to  go 
about  constantly  with  her  husband.  You  made  a  mistake 
in  professing  such  a  very  violent  friendship  for  her." 

"  It  is  all  a  horrible  lie,"  cried  Ivy,  crimson  with  anger 
and  distress.  "  No  wonder  she  hates  me  if  she  believes 
me  to  be  such  a  hypocrite  as  that!  I  was  her  friend — but 


374  WAYFARING   MEN 

I  never  will  be  again,  no,  nor  Ralph's  either.  Oh  !  they 
will  discuss  it  all  and  talk  me  over!  and  I  believe  it's  your 
doing.  You  told  her  this  lie.  How  1  hate  you!  how  I 
hate  you!  " 

Like  a  little  fury  she  flung  into  the  fire  the  pattern 
which  Myra  had  just  cut  out  for  her,  and  was  gone  before 
her  companion  could  get  in  a  single  word. 

Down  the  street  she  sped,  looking  prettier  than  ever 
because  her  eyes  were  still  bright  with  indignation  and 
her  cheeks  aglow  at  the  recollection  of  what  had  passed. 
As  ill  luck  would  have  it,  just  as  she  reached  the  quiet 
road  in  which  she  was  lodging  with  Helen  Orme,  she 
came  suddenly  face  to  face  with  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes. 

"  I  had  been  to  inquire  if  you  were  in,  and  to  try  and 
persuade  you  to  come  and  skate  this  afternoon,"  he  said 
eagerly.  "  The  ice  in  the  park  will  bear  they  say.  Do 
come." 

"  But  I  never  skated  in  my  life,"  said  Ivy. 

"  I  will  teach  you,  I  am  sure  you  would  learn  in  a  very 
little  while,  and  it  is  just  the  sort  of  thing  you  would 
do  to  perfection." 

As  he  spoke  a  sudden  thought  darted  into  Ivy's  mind. 
Here  was  a  man  who  for  some  time  had  seriously  annoyed 
her  by  persistent  attentions  which  she  did  not  want.  She 
would  now  change  her  tactics,  would  carry  on  a  desperate 
flirtation  with  him,  and  show  these  detestable  gossips 
that  they  were  quite  in  the  wrong.  As  for  the  Denmeads 
she  would  avoid  them  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  Myra 
she  would  not  vouchsafe  a  single  word,  no — not  though 
they  shared  dressing-rooms! 

All  this  passed  through  her  mind  while  Mr.  Vane- 
Ffoulkes  was  assuring  her  that  she  would  skate  like  one 
to  the  manner  born. 

"  I  don't  think  I  can  go,"  she  said  hesitatingly.  "  For 
one  thing  I  have  no  skates,  and  then " 

"  I  will  manage  the  skates  if  only  you  will  just  come 
and  try,"  he  said  persuasively,  and  after  a  little  more  dis- 


WAY  FAKING  MEN  375 

cussion  Ivy  consented,  and  the  Honorable  Bertie  in  the 
seventh  heaven  of  happiness  hurried  away  into  the  High 
Street,  there  to  procure  the  most  dainty  little  pair  of 
skates  that  the  place  could  supply,  while  Ivy,  forgetting 
her  anger  in  the  satisfaction  of  her  new  scheme,  ran  in 
to  make  a  hasty  meal,  and  to  put  on  the  prettiest  walking- 
dress  and  hat  she  possessed. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  Ralph  and  George  Mowbray  bi- 
cycling back  from  Brookfield  Castle  dismounted  for  a  few 
minutes  to  watch  the  skaters  in  the  park,  and  to  specu- 
late as  to  the  chances  of  the  ice  for  the  next  day. 

"Hullo!"  exclaimed  Ralph,  suddenly  perceiving  a 
graceful  little  figure  skimming  past  under  the  guidance 
of  a  tall  fair-haired  man,  "  Why  there's  Ivy  Grant  pio- 
neered by  the  Honorable  Bertie!  Wonders  will  never 
cease." 

"  So  she  has  caved  in  at  last,"  said  George  Mowbray 
with  a  laugh,  "  having  snubbed  him  all  these  months  I 
thought  she  would  have  contrived  to  send  him  about  his 
business.    How^  cock-a-hoop  he  does  look!  " 

It  was  quite  patent  to  every  one  after  this  that  Ivy's 
objections  to  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  were  a  thing  of  the  past. 
She  accepted  every  votive  offering  he  brought  her,  skated 
with  him  at  every  available  opportunity,  and  listened  in 
the  most  flattering  way  to  his  extremely  vapid  talk.  For 
each  inch  she  granted  him  he  was  ready  enough  to  seize 
an  ell,  and  Macneillie  who  had  no  confidence  at  all  in  the 
character  of  his  wealthy  amateur,  soon  saw  that  things 
must  be  promptly  checked. 

*'  My  dear,"  he  said  one  day  to  Evereld  when  their  stay 
at  Marden-town  was  drawing  to  a  close.  "  I  wish  you 
would  somehow  contrive  to  give  Ivy  Grant  a  hint;  she 
is  going  on  very  foolishly  with  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes,  and  it 
is  quite  impossible  that  she  can  really  have  any  regard 
for  him." 

"  I  can't  manage  to  get  hold  of  her,"  said  Evereld  sigh- 


576  WAYFARING  MEN 


ing.    "  She  won't  come  here  and  see  me,  but  always  makes 


some  excuse  " 


"  Well,  I  shall  get  rid  of  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  then,"  said 
Macneillie.  "  He  has  been  an  insufferable  nuisance  ever 
since  he  came.  Would  you  believe  it — he  actually  had 
the  presumption  to  grumble  because  Ealph  was  to  play 
Hamlet!  I  believe  he  seriously  thinks  he  would  do  it 
much  better  himself!  The  conceit  of  that  fellow  beats 
everything  I  ever  knew.  You  should  have  seen  his  face 
when  he  found  that  he  was  cast  for  Eosencrantz!  It  was 
a  picture!  " 

"  I  never  can  understand  why  you  yourself  don't  play 
Hamlet,"  said  Evereld.    "  You  would  do  it  splendidly." 

"  Ralph  understands,"  said  Macneillie  a  shade  crossing 
his  face.    "  He  will  tell  you  why  it  is." 

There  was  silence  for  some  minutes.  Then,  as  though 
shaking  himself  free  from  thoughts  he  did  not  wish  to 
dwell  upon,  Macneillie  began  to  pace  the  room  and  to 
consider  how  best  to  rid  the  company  of  the  undesirable 
presence  of  the  Honorable  Bertie. 

"  I  have  it!  "  he  exclaimed, — suddenly  bursting  into  a 
fit  of  laughter.  "  Great  Scott!  That  will  be  the  very 
thing! "  he  rubbed  his  hands  with  keen  satisfaction, 
chuckling  to  himself  in  high  glee  over  the  thought  of  the 
fun  he  anticipated.  "  Come  to  the  theatre  to-night,  my 
dear,  and  I  will  treat  you  to  a  new  transformation  scene 
which,  if  I'm  not  mistaken,  will  bring  down  the  house. 
But  mind,  not  a  word  of  it  to  any  one  beforehand." 

It  was  not  only  his  fellow  actors  who  objected  to  the 
Honorable  Bertie,  he  was  detested  by  the  stage  carpen- 
ters and  scene  shifters,  not  so  much  because  of  his  conceit 
as  because  he  had  an  objectionable  habit  of  being  always 
in  the  way.  For  the  past  week  they  had  been  giving  a 
play  in  which  he  took  the  part  of  a  dragoon  guard  and 
though  the  insignificance  of  the  character  chafed  him 
sorely,  he  found  some  consolation  in  the  knowledge  that 
in  uniform  he  presented  a  really  pplendid  appearance. 


WAYFARING  MEN  377 

Now  it  chanced  that  there  was  a  property  chair  used 
in  this  play  of  remarkably  comfortable  proportions,  and 
the  Honorable  Bertie  being  long  and  lazy  invariably 
lounged  at  his  ease  in  this  chair  between  the  acts,  for  he 
had  no  change  of  dress  and  no  opportunity  of  amusing 
himself  with  Ivy  just  in  the  intervals  because  she  hap- 
pened to  have  rather  elaborate  changes. 

Macneillie,  who  was  his  own  Stage  Manager,  had  for 
some  time  observed  the  cool  disregard  shown  by  the  ama- 
teur of  the  peremptory  call  of  "  Clear!  "  on  the  part  of 
his  Assistant  stage  manager.  Deaf  to  the  order  Mr.  Vane- 
Ffoulkes  invariably  took  his  ease  in  the  big  chair,  lazily 
watching  the  busy  workers  with  an  air  of  irritating  supe- 
riorit}'. 

"  I  think  I  shall  cure  him  of  this  little  habit,"  reflected 
Macneillie  with  a  smile,  and  seizing  a  moment  when  his 
victim  was  the  only  person  visible  on  the  stage  he  suddenly 
rang  up  the  curtain. 

A  roar  of  laughter  rose  from  the  audience,  for  there  in 
full  view  sat  the  Honorable  Bertie  with  his  legs  dangling 
in  unconventional  comfort  over  the  arm  of  the  chair. 

He  sprang  to  his  feet  in  horror,  dashed  to  the  practi- 
cable door  at  the  back  of  the  stage  deeming  it  his  nearest 
escape,  forgot  that  he  still  wore  his  guard's  helmet, 
crashed  it  violently  against  the  lintel,  and  by  the  time 
he  had  staggered  back,  and  with  lowered  crest  disappeared 
behind  the  scenes,  left  the  house  in  convulsions  of  merri- 
ment. 

The  curtain  descended  again,  and  the  Honorable  Ber- 
tie choking  with  rage  contemplated  his  battered  helmet 
with  a  fierj'  face,  and  vowed  vengeance  on  Macneillie,  but 
had  not  the  sense  to  join  in  the  laughter  which  even  Ivy 
could  not  suppress,  do  what  she  would.  The  sight  of  her 
mirth  put  the  last  touch  to  his  wrath,  and  at  the  close 
of  the  performance  he  had  an  angry  interview  with  the 
manager  who,  as  he  furiously  declared,  had  made  him 
ridiculous  before  the  whole  house. 


3/8  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  The  curtain  was  rung  up  too  early,"  admitted  Mac- 
neillie.  "  But  tlie  order  liad  been  given  to  clear  the  stage; 
you  persistently  disregard  that  order  every  night  and 
must  take  the  consequences." 

"  I  will  not  stay  another  day  in  your  d — d  company," 
said  the  Honorable  Bertie,  fuming. 

Macneillie  bowed  in  acquiescence;  gravely  assured  the 
Earl's  son  that  a  cheque  for  the  amount  of  his  weekly 
salary  should  be  sent  the  next  day  to  his  hotel,  and  bade 
him  good  evening.  Perhaps  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  did  not 
quite  like  to  be  so  promptly  taken  at  his  own  word,  per- 
haps the  quiet  dignity  of  Macneillie's  manner  was  too 
much  for  him;  the  threats  and  denunciations  he  longed 
io  pour  forth  somehow  stuck  in  his  throat,  and  with  a 
muttered  oath  he  took  his  departure,  leaving  Macneillie 
well  satisfied  with  the  result  of  his  stratagem. 

Three  days  after,  the  company  moved  on  to  Gloucester, 
Ivy  however  had  made  the  Business  Manager  put  her  in 
a  different  railway  carriage  from  the  Denmeads  with 
whom  she  usually  travelled,  and  Evereld  could  only  con- 
trive to  exchange  a  few  words  with  her  at  the  station. 

The  following  week  when  they  went  to  Bath  matters 
seemed  rather  more  favourable.  Ealph  who  had  a  great 
liking  for  the  old  theatre  there  with  its  many  memories, 
declared  that  it  was  the  most  interesting  theatre  in  Eng- 
land, and  Evereld,  partly  for  the  sake  of  seeing  it,  partly 
with  the  hope  of  patching  up  the  quarrel,  went  with  him 
on  the  Monday  morning  to  rehearsal. 

The  play  was  "  The  Merchant  of  Venice  "  and  fortune 
favoured  her,  for  Ivy  had  not  a  great  deal  to  do,  and 
quickly  yielded  to  the  gentle  kindly  manner  of  Ralph's 
wife.  Together  they  laughed  over  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes' 
discomfiture,  and  agreed  that  it  was  a  great  relief  to  be 
well  quit  of  him;  then,  as  the  rehearsal  bid  fair  to  be 
a  lengthy  one.  Ivy  ran  out  to  buy  Bath  buns  at  Fort's  and 
handed  them  impartially  to  all  present  including  Myra, 


WAYFARING  MEN  379 

and  Evereld  began  to  think  that  things  would  soon  come 
straight  once  more. 

"  Do  come  in  to  tea  with  me  to-day,"  she  begged.  "  I 
shall  be  alone  for  hours  for  they  mean  to  go  through  some 
of  Hamlet  this  afternoon  for  Ealph's  sake,  and  I  shall 
be  going  to  London  next  week  you  know  for  some  time." 

It  was  difficult  to  resist  the  friendly  look  in  her  eyes, 
and  Ivy  consented  to  come,  arriving  soon  after  four  at 
the  rooms  in  Kingsmead  Terrace  in  a  somewhat  silent 
mood.  However  tea  and  a  good  laugh  over  the  vagaries 
of  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  soon  thawed  her. 

"  I  only  wish  I  had  never  flirted  with  him,"  she  said 
regretfully.    "  All  the  time  I  hated  and  despised  him." 

"What  made  you  do  it  then?"  said  Evereld. 

Ivy  crimsoned. 

"  It  was  Myra's  fault.  I  believe  she  was  in  league  with 
him.  When  I  found  that  she  had  told  you  such  a  lie 
about  me,  I  thought  I  would  show  everyone  how  false 
it  was." 

"  But  I  knew  it  to  be  false  almost  directly,"  said  Ever- 
eld. "  It  was  only  for  an  hour  or  so,  before  there  had 
been  time  to  think  things  over  that  I  believed  it,  dear. 
Indeed  if  I  had  been  well  and  strong  I  don't  think  I 
should  have  believed  it  for  a  moment." 

To  her  surprise  Ivy  suddenly  broke  down  and  began  to 
sob. 

"  Oh,"  she  said,  "  I  am  so  dreadfully  alone  in  the  world! 
I  don't  think  I  can  do  without  you  two." 

"  Why  should  you  do  without  us?  "  said  Evereld.  "  I 
hope  you  are  not  going  to  punish  me  any  more  for  having 
been  cold  and  repellent  the  other  day?  Ealph  and  I 
shall  always  want  you  to  be  our  friend." 

"  But  how  can  I  be  your  friend  when  all  these  days  you 
have  been  discussing  me?  " 

"  We  haven't  discussed  you.  Ealph  has  never  heard 
one  word  of  what  Myra  said.    The  only  thing  he  did  say 


380  WAYFARING  MEN 

was  that  he  thought  you  did  not  realise  the  sort  of  man 
Mr.  Vane-Ff  oulkes  really  was,  or  you  would  be  more  care- 
ful. Of  course  he  can't  help  knowing,  too,  that  you  have 
quarrelled  with  Myra,  because  you  don't  speak  to  her." 

"  I  am  going  to  tell  you  just  the  whole  truth,"  said 
Ivy,  drying  her  eyes  and  looking  straight  up  at  Evereld 
with  an  air  of  resolute  courage  that  made  her  winsome 
little  face  actually  beautiful.  "  I  did  love  Ralph  once. 
At  first  he  was  just  a  sort  of  hero  to  me,  but  in  Scotland 
wlien  we  were  all  so  miserable  and  he  was  always  trying  to 
help  me,  then  I  began  to  love  him;  and  when  the  Skoots 
disappeared  and  left  us  stranded  at  Forres  I  couldn't  bear 
to  be  parted  from  him  and  let  him  see  that  I  cared.  I 
knew  he  understood;  for  he  showed  me  that  it  would  not 
do  for  us  to  stay  together  when  the  company  dispersed, 
and  he  told  me  how  he  cared  for  you,  not  of  course  saying 
your  name,  but  I  knew  he  meant  you.  At  first  it  made 
me  angry  and  miserable,  but  I  liked  him  so  for  being  true, 
and  for  speaking  straightforwardly  as  very  few  men  do 
to  women;  and  always  he  made  me  feel  that  he  respected 
me  and  liked  and  trusted  me.  When  later  on  the  Brintons 
told  me  he  was  engaged  to  you  I  was  able  to  be  glad  of  it 
— I  was  indeed;  and  when  MjTa  told  me  the  other  day 
that  you  believed  such  a  lie  about  me,  and  I  guessed  at 
once  it  was  all  her  doing — why  it  seemed  as  if  she  had 
trodden  under  foot  the  very  best  part  of  me,  and  after- 
wards I  didn't  much  care  what  I  did.  I  think  I  could 
almost  have  married  Mr.  Vane-Ff  oulkes." 

"  That  would  have  been  an  awful  fate,"  said  Ewreld 
with  a  shudder,  as  she  realised  how  much  harm  her  ready 
suspicions  had  done.  "  Ivy  dear,  you  must  promise  me 
never  to  let  anyone  come  between  us  again.  Ealph  and 
I  are  always  your  friends — do  believe  that  once  for  all, 
or  I  shall  never  feel  at  rest  about  you." 

They  kissed  each  other  warmly  and  the  misunderstand- 
ing was  quite  at  an  end,  leaving  them  much  closer  friends 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  381 

than  they  had  been  before.  To  set  things  straiglit  with 
Myra  Brinton  would  probably  not  prove  so  easy,  but  Ev- 
ereld  was  very  anxious  to  effect  a  reconciliation  before 
she  went  to  London. 

Partly  with  a  view  to  this,  and  partly  because  she  had 
not  yet  seen  the  "  Merchant  of  Venice  "  she  got  Ealph 
to  take  her  that  night  behind  the  scenes. 

Unlike  so  many  of  the  modern  theatres  the  old  theatre 
at  Bath  in  which  Mrs.  Siddons  had  often  acted  in  former 
days  could  boast  a  comfortable  green  room,  and  here,  she 
and  Ralph  and  Helen  Orme  did  their  best  to  draw  Ivy 
and  Myra  Brinton  into  more  pleasant  relations. 

Ivy  might  have  been  persuaded  to  relent,  but  Myra 
withdrew  into  a  shell  of  cold  reserve  which  made  Ralph 
think  of  the  days  when  he  had  first  known  her  at  Dum- 
fries. She  looked  on  with  chilling  surprise  and  disapproval 
while  Evereld  chatted  in  a  friendly  fashion  with  Ivy,  and 
quite  refused  to  join  in  the  general  conversation.  While 
all  the  rest  were  pinning  each  other's  draperies  she  stood 
by  the  fireplace  busily  occupied  with  her  powder-puff,  ap- 
parently quite  self-engrossed,  but  in  reality  noting  with 
jealous  pangs  the  easy  good  fellowship  of  her  fellow  artists 
and  the  expression  of  Ralph's  face  as  he  talked  with  Ever- 
eld and  Ivy.  She  made  up  her  mind  to  hold  entirely  aloof 
and  show  how  she  despised  them  all,  and  it  proved  quite 
impossible  to  make  any  way  with  her. 

Evereld  made  one  last  effort  in  the  interval  after  the 
third  act  when  M)Ta,  looking  extremely  handsome  in  her 
lawyer's  cap  and  gown  came  into  the  green  room  ready 
for  the  Trial  scene,  and  Ivy,  in  good  spirits  after  receiving 
much  applause  for  her  sprightly  rendering  of  Jessica's 
part,  was  quite  disposed  to  break  the  silence  which  had 
now  lasted  so  long  between  them.  But  as  it  takes  two 
to  make  a  quarrel  it  also  takes  two  to  make  an  atonement, 
and  Mrs.  Brinton  calmly  turned  her  back  upon  the  girl 
and  sailed  across  the  room  to  the  inevitable  powder-box. 


382  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

*'  I  don't  care,"  said  Ivy  under  her  breath  as  she 
shrugged  her  shoulders  and  left  the  room.  "  If  it  pleases 
her  to  go  about  with  a  black  dog  on  her  back,  let  her! 
Now  you  are  going  to  stand  at  the  wings,  Evereld,  and 
enjoy  the  Trial  scene;  you  will  have  a  capital  view  of  it 
just  from  here.  As  for  me,  I  shall  run  up  and  change  for 
my  moonlight  scene.    Au  revoir! " 

She  felt  in  a  mischievous  mood,  resenting  Myra's  ab- 
surd behaviour,  and  yet  too  much  pleased  by  her  good 
reception  and  by  the  satisfaction  of  being  on  comfortable 
terms  with  Ealph  and  Evereld  again  to  be  exactly  angry. 

"  I  will  dress  quickly  and  run  down  before  Myra  comes 
up  for  her  next  change,"  she  reflected.  "  It  is  just  hate- 
ful sharing  a  dressing-room  with  anyone  when  you  are  not 
on  speaking  terms.  I  wish  Mr.  Macneillie  would  have  let 
her  have  the  '  Star '  room,  but  he  always  will  keep  the 
one  nearest  the  stage  for  himself  whether  it  is  good  or 
bad.  Bother!  there's  not  room  to  swing  a  cat  in  this 
place!    I  wish  they  would  give  us  more  decent  rooms." 

Jessica's  dress  required  a  great  deal  of  pinning  and 
draping.  It  was  by  no  means  easy  to  dispose  of  the  long 
traiUng  fold  of  light  Liberty  silk,  and  Ivy  was  in  an  im- 
patient mood.  Suddenly  as  she  tossed  the  end  of  a  bit  of 
light  gauze  drapery  over  her  shoulder  it  caught  by  some 
mischance  in  the  gas  jet  from  which  she  had,  against  rules, 
removed  the  guard  while  curling  her  fringe.  In  an  in- 
stant it  was  flaring  all  about  her,  and  wild  wdth  fright  she 
found  it  impossible  to  free  herself  from  its  serpent  like 
coils. 

Presence  of  mind  had  never  been  one  of  her  character- 
istics and  now  the  awful  sense  of  her  danger  and  her  hor- 
rible loneliness  drove  her  to  distraction.  She  cried  for 
help,  but  it  seemed  to  her  that  she  might  bum  to  death 
before  anyone  heard  her  in  that  remote  place. 

Meanwhile  Evereld  standing  at  the  wings  was  watching 
with  keen  interest  Macneillie's  masterly  representation  of 


WAYI'AIUNG  MEN  383 

yiiylock,  and  thinking  how  handsome  EaJph  looked  as 
Bassauio,  when  she  was  startled  by  a  distant  cry. 

"  You  take  my  honsc  when  you  do  take  the  prop  that 
doth  sustain  my  house,"  pleaded  Shylock,  and  at  that 
instant  another  much  more  distinct  sound — unquestion- 
ably a  scream — from  behind,  made  Evereld's  heart  stand 
still.    Surely  it  was  Ivy's  voice! 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation  she  opened  the  door 
leading  to  the  ladies'  dressing  rooms,  hurried  up  the  stairs 
and  had  just  gained  the  passage  above,  when  to  her  horror 
she  saw  Ivy  rushing  forward  her  pale  green  dress  all 
ablaze. 

Snatching  off  the  warm  cloak  she  had  been  wearing 
as  she  stood  at  the  wings  Evereld  flung  it  about  the  terri- 
fied girl,  and  exerting  all  her  strength  almost  hurled  Ivy 
to  the  ground,  dismayed  to  see  how  the  flames  were  rising 
towards  her  face. 

"  Don't  try  to  get  up,"  she  cried,  as  Ivy  mad  with  fear 
and  pain  would  have  leapt  to  her  feet  again.  "  Eoll  over 
and  we  shall  crush  out  the  fire." 

It  could  have  been  only  two  minutes  yet  it  seemed  to 
them  hours  before  others  hearing  the  screams  came  to 
the  rescue,  and  by  that  time  Evereld  had  succeeded  in 
stifling  the  flames.  Macneillie  learning  directly  he  came 
off  the  stage  that  something  was  amiss  hurried  up  to  them 
and  was  dismayed  to  find  what  had  happened. 

"  Go  at  once  and  get  hold  of  Dr.  Grey,"  he  said  turning 
to  the  business  manager  who  had  been  the  first  to  come 
up.  "  He  is  in  the  front  row  of  the  dress  circle.  Brinton," 
he  added  turning  to  the  Duke  of  Venice,  who  was  the 
next  to  appear,  "  you  will  help  me  to  lift  her  into  her 
dressing-room." 

"  It  is  so  small  and  crowded,"  said  Evereld.  "  Would 
not  the  green  room  be  better?  she  must  be  carried  down 
the  stairs  sooner  or  later." 

"  Yes,  quite  true.     Give  me  your  cloak,  Brinton,  we 


384  WAYFARING  MEN 

will  throw  it  over  her,  and  do  you  go  first,  Evereld,  and 
see  that  no  one  is  in  the  way.  We  shall  get  her  safely 
to  the  green  room  before  the  end  of  the  act." 

Ivy's  moans  as  they  carried  her  were  drowned  in  the 
applause  which  followed  the  end  of  the  Trial  Scene.  And 
Evereld,  not  pausing  to  realise  that  she  was  trembling 
from  head  to  foot,  went  on  before  to  make  ready  a  place 
where  they  could  lay  her  down,  and  thanks  to  the  prompt- 
itude of  the  business  manager  the  doctor  was  on  the  spot 
almost  as  soon  as  they  were. 

Ealph,  strolhng  up  the  stage  a  few  minutes  later,  ha- 
ving heard  nothing  that  had  passed,  was  rudely  recalled 
to  the  present  as  he  approached  the  little  group  of  people 
round  the  green  room  door.  "  The  doctor  has  just  gone 
in,"  he  heard  some  one  say,  and  the  words  threw  him  into 
a  sudden  panic  of  terror. 

"  Let  me  get  by,"  he  said.    "  What's  the  matter?  " 

"  You  can't  go  in,"  said  several  voices!  "  Ivy  Grant  has 
been  awfully  burnt,  they  say  Mrs.  Denmead  managed  to 
get  the  fire  out." 

"Where  is  my  wife?"  said  Ralph  distractedly. 

**  She  is  in  the  green  room  helping.  It's  no  good  my 
dear  boy.    I  tell  you  no  one  can  go  in." 

Ralph,  sick  with  anxiety  for  Evereld,  and  only  longing 
to  get  her  out  of  the  room,  seemed  on  the  point  of  taking 
the  speaker  by  the  collar  and  thrusting  him  aside,  when 
to  his  relief  the  door  opened  and  Macneillie  came  out. 
They  all  made  way  for  him  and  heard  him  giving  orders 
for  a  messenger  to  be  sent  at  once  for  the  ambulance, 
then  before  a  single  question  could  be  put  to  him  by 
Ralph,  the  Assistant  stage  manager  came  up  to  discuss 
the  arrangements  that  were  to  be  made  for  the  last  act. 
Fortunately  Ivy's  understudy  happened  to  be  present  so 
that  no  very  great  delay  was  to  be  feared,  and  when  this 
matter  had  been  disposed  of,  Helen  Orme  who  had  good 
naturedly  hurried  away  to  dress  in  order  that  she  might 


IV  AY  PARING  MEN  385 

be  free  to  offer  her  help,  came  hastening  back  and  begged 
leave  to  go  in  and  do  what  she  could  for  Ivy. 

"  Send  Evereld  to  me,"  was  Ralph's  parting  injunction, 
and  Helen  Orme,  feeling  very  sorry  for  him,  went  in  and 
finding  that  the  preliminary  dressing  of  Ivy's  burns  was 
over,  admitted  him  on  her  own  authority. 

It  was  a  kindly  meant  act  but  under  the  circumstances 
a  little  risky,  for  at  the  first  sight  of  him  Evereld's  com- 
posure began  to  give  way.    The  doctor  noticed  it  at  once. 

"  Now,  Mrs.  Denmead,"  he  said  cheerfully.  "  Let  this 
lady  take  your  place  for  a  minute,  and  you  go  and  sit 
down.  I  shall  be  ready  to  dress  that  hand  of  yours  di- 
rectly." 

"  Oh! "  moaned  Ivy  who  had  spoken  very  little  since 
they  had  carried  her  down.    "  Is  Evereld  hurt?  " 

"  Just  a  little,"  said  the  doctor.  "  But  she  won't  grudge 
that,  for  she  has  saved  your  life." 

"  Do  you  think  you  could  just  manage  to  get  me  home," 
whispered  Evereld,  suddenly  realising  that  her  strength 
would  hold  out  no  longer  and  that  she  could  only  agitate 
and  harm  Ivy  by  staying. 

"  Yes,  darling,"  said  Ralph,  "  of  course  I  can." 

But  the  cheery  doctor  had  overheard  and  was  beside 
them  in  a  minute. 

"  Where  are  you  staying?  "  he  said  crossing  the  room  to 
them.  "In  Eangsmead  Terrace?  I  will  drive  you  there 
at  once  in  my  carriage.  "Wait  for  a  minute  and  I  will 
bring  it  round  to  the  stage  door.  My  little  patient  here 
will  do  well  enough  now,  and  before  long  they  will  carry 
her  to  the  hospital  in  the  ambulance.  Just  one  word  with 
you,  Mr.  Denmead." 

Ralph  followed  him  out  of  the  room. 

"  Now  kindly  pilot  me  through  these  passages,"  said 
the  doctor,  having  put  a  brief  question  or  two  as  to  Ever- 
eld. "  Your  part  is  not  quite  finished  is  it?  Another 
scene  yet  if  I  remember  right.    You  must  leave  me  to  see 


386  IV AY  FARING  MEN 

your  wife  safely  home,  and  don't  be  over  anxious.  Of 
course,  it's  an  unfortunate  thing  that  she  has  had  this 
fearful  shock,  but  there  is  no  reason  why  she  should  not 
get  on  well  enough.  Have  you  a  decent  sort  of  landlady 
with  a  head  on  her  shoulders?" 

"She  is  a  capable  sort  of  woman,"  said  Ralph, 
«  but " 

"All  right.  That  will  do  very  well  for  the  present. 
Here's  my  carriage " 

He  gave  directions  to  the  coachman,  and  in  a  few  min- 
utes time  Ralph  had  put  his  wife  into  the  brougham  and 
with  a  heavy  heart  had  turned  back  into  the  theatre  to 
get  through  the  rest  of  his  work  as  best  he  could. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

"  God  !    do  not  let  my  loved  one  die, 
But  rather  wait  until  the  time 
That  I  am  grown  in  purity 
Enough  to  enter  thy  pure  clime." 

Lowell. 

When  Ivy  from  time  to  time  opened  her  eyes  in  that 
dreadful  interval  of  waiting  for  the  ambulance  which 
seemed  to  her  almost  age-long,  she  saw  a  curious  succes- 
sion of  faces.  First  there  had  been  the  cheerful  doctor, 
and  Evereld  with  her  brave  blue  eyes  and  firm  little 
mouth.  Then  those  two  faces  had  mysteriously  disap- 
peared, and  the  wrinkled  and  careworn  features  of  the 
wardrobe  woman  had  greeted  her  instead,  and  Helen  Orme 
dressed  as  Nerissa  bent  over  her  and  asked  her  if  she  suf- 
fered much. 

After  that  Myra  Brinton  had  stooped  and  kissed  her, 
to  her  great  astonishment,  and  all  the  foolish  little  quar- 
rels of  the  past  died  out  under  the  influence  of  that  great 
uniter  of  human  beings — pain.  Ralph  came  too  with 
kindly  inquiries,  and  she  roused  herself  to  ask  again  after 
Evereld. 

"  You  are  sure  the  doctor  told  the  truth?  "  she  asked 
doubtfully.    "Was  she  really  not  badly  burnt?" 

"  Ko,  not  badly,"  said  Ralph.  "  Only  one  hand  blistered 
and  her  wrist  scorched." 

The  summons  came  Just  at  that  minute  for  Myra  and 
Helen  Orme,  and  he  seized  the  opportunity  to  escape,  fear- 
ful lest  she  should  ask  further  questions.  He  stood  at  the 
wings  with  his  friend  George  Mowbray  who  was  playing 
Antonio,  watching  in  a  dreamy  way  the  ill-arranged  dress 
which  had  been  hastily  contrived  for  Ivy's  understudy. 


388  IV  AY  FA  RING   MEN 

He  would  have  missed  the  cue  for  his  entrance  had  not 
George  :Mowbray  pushed  him  forward,  and  it  seemed  to 
him  that  it  was  not  his  own  voice  but  the  voice  of  some- 
body else  that  uttered  Bassanio's  speeches,  while  all  the 
time  he  himself  was  away  with  Evereld,  though  his  body 
mechanically  went  through  the  business  of  his  part.  Mac- 
neillie  watched  him  with  some  anxiety,  but  before  the 
play  ended,  the  arrival  of  the  ambulance  and  the  necessity 
of  seeing  Ivy  safely  transferred  to  it  drove  all  else  from  the 
manager's  mind.  He  refused  to  allow  anyone  but  himself 
to  take  her  to  the  hospital,  feeling  that  she  was  under  his 
charge,  and  troubled  to  remember  that  the  poor  child  had 
not  a  relation  in  the  world  who  could  now  befriend  her. 

"  Do  your  best  to  get  well  quickly,  my  dear,"  he  said 
in  his  kindly  voice  when  he  took  leave  of  her.  "  And 
don't  fret  as  to  the  future.  You  shall  come  back  to  the 
company  whenever  you  like." 

Keturning  to  the  theatre  he  found  the  scene  struck  and 
all  the  house  in  darkness  save  for  the  light  by  the  stage 
door. 

"  Is  Mr.  Denmead  still  in  his  dressing-room?  "  he  in- 
quired. 

"  No  sir,"  said  the  door-keeper.  "  He  has  been  gone 
some  time  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brinton  with  him." 

Macneillie  ran  upstairs  to  speak  a  word  to  Ivy's  under- 
study as  to  the  dresses  needed  later  in  the  week,  then  he 
walked  slowly  back  to  Kingsmead  Terrace,  but  although 
he  rang  repeatedly  no  one  came  to  answer  the  door. 

He  was  just  meditating  a  burglarious  entrance  by  the 
kitchen  window  when  at  last  he  heard  footsteps  approach- 
ing and  the  latch  was  raised. 

Myra  Brinton  softly  opened  to  him;  her  face  was  pale 
and  anxious. 

"  Oh,  is  it  you!  "  she  exclaimed.  "  I  hoped  it  was  the 
nurse.  Tom  has  gone  to  try  and  get  hold  of  one.  Ever- 
eld's  child  is  born  and  the  doctor  seems  terribly  anxious 
about  her." 


WAY  PARING  MEN  389 

Macneillie  was  a  true  Scotsman  and  seldom  said  much 
when  he  was  moved.  He  stalked  on  into  thQ  sitting  room 
and  began  to  pace  to  and  fro  in  silence. 

Evereld  had  grown  almost  like  a  daughter  to  him  and 
the  thought  of  her  peril  and  of  Ralph's  frightful  anxiety 
brought  a  choking  sensation  to  his  throat. 

"  What  of  the  child?  "  he  asked  presently. 

"  It  is  a  boy,"  said  Myra.  "  Of  course  extremely  small; 
they  gave  him  to  me  in  the  next  room  and  I  have  done 
what  I  could  for  him,  the  maidservant  is  seeing  to  him 
now,  and  the  others  are  in  with  Evereld.  Hark!  there 
is  someone  coming  downstairs." 

Macneillie  went  out  into  the  passage  and  encountered 
Ralph  who  looked  as  if  years  had  passed  over  his  head 
since  they  last  met. 

"  They  want  another  doctor,"  he  said  snatching  his  hat 
from  the  stand. 

"  Give  me  the  name  and  address  and  I  will  go,"  said 
Macneillie. 

"  You  have  not  had  your  supper,"  objected  Ralph. 
"  And,  as  it  is,  we  are  turning  the  whole  house  upside 
down  for  you." 

"  What  matter!  "  said  MacneiUie.  "  Go  back  to  Ever- 
eld, my  boy,  I  will  see  to  this  for  you." 

Ralph  protested  no  further,  indeed  his  one  desire  was 
to  return  to  his  wife,  but  catching  sight  of  Myra,  he 
paused  to  inquire  after  the  child. 

"  Evereld  keeps  asking  if  it  is  all  right,"  he  said.  "  And 
the  doctor,  who  would  say  anything  to  quiet  her,  assures 
her  it  is  all  it  ought  to  be.  Do  you  think  there  is  really 
a  hope  that  it  will  live?  " 

"  I  know  so  little  about  such  things,"  said  Myra,  with 
a  sick  remembrance  of  the  jealous  feelings  that  had  stirred 
within  her  on  first  learning  of  Evereld's  hopes.  "  He  is 
the  tiniest  little  fellow  I  ever  saw,  but  there  seems  nothing 
amiss  with  him.    Hark!  there  is  a  ring  at  the  door  bell. 


390  WAYFARING  MEN 

It  must  be  the  nurse  at  last.  We  will  see  what  slie  says 
to  him." 

Ralph,  who  had  vaguely  expected  a  sort  of  Mrs.  Gamp, 
was  relieved  to  see  a  comely  middle-aged  woman  with  a 
refined  and  sensible  face,  and  that  wonderful  air  of  com- 
posure and  capable  quietness  which  makes  a  trained  nurse 
so  unlike  an  amateur. 

She  praised  all  that  M}Ta  had  done  and  declared  that 
with  care  the  child  would  do  well  enough,  and  Ralph, 
looking  for  the  first  time  at  the  little  doll-like  face  of  his 
son  felt  a  sudden  sense  of  hope  and  joy  and  relief  which 
carried  him  through  the  dark  hours  of  that  night  of  anxi- 
ety and  suspense. 

For  all  night  long  Evereld  lay  between  life  and  death. 
The  younger  doctor  who  had  been  called  in  despaired 
of  saving  her,  and  Ralph  knew  it,  though  no  one  actually 
put  the  thought  into  words.  He  knew  it  by  the  man's 
face,  and  by  the  sound  of  effort  in  the  voice  of  his  first 
friend,  cheery  Doctor  Grey.  Evereld  was  dying  from  ex- 
haustion, and  from  the  terrible  shock  she  had  undergone. 

Still  like  a  true  Denmead  he  clung  to  hope,  and  held 
his  fear  at  arm's  length;  every  word  of  encouragement 
that  fell  from  Dr.  Grey's  lips  helping  him  to  keep  up. 

Her  age  was  in  her  favour,  her  patience,  her  great  firm- 
ness and  courage  all  would  stand  her  in  good  stead;  so 
said  the  old  doctor;  and  Ralph  hoped  against  hope  until 
at  last  about  sunrise  a  change  set  in.  Even  the  younger 
doctor  grew  sanguine.  Evereld's  hold  upon  life  was  evi- 
dently growing  firmer.  She  looked  up  at  Ralph  and 
smiled. 

"  What  day  is  it?  "  she  asked,  for  pain  knows  no  time 
limits  and  she  had  no  notion  whether  hours  or  days  had 
gone  by. 

"  It  is  Tuesday  morning,"  he  said  stooping  down  to 
kiss  her,  a  rapturous  sense  of  relief  filling  his  heart. 

She  seemed  to  meditate  for  a  few  minutes,  and  obedi- 
ently took  the  gruel  the  nurse  brought  her. 


WAYFARING  MEN  39' 

"  Why!  "  she  exclaimed  presently.  "  It  is  your  first 
night  in  Hamlet,  and  you  will  be  tired  out.  Go  and  rest, 
darling." 

"  The  best  rest  is  to  see  you  growing  better,"  he  said 
tenderly. 

After  another  interval  she  asked  about  the  child. 

"  Do  you  want  to  see  him?  "  asked  the  young  doctor, 
hailing  as  a  good  sign  her  return  of  interest. 

"  Not  now,  later  on  "  she  said  quietly.  "  I  will  try  to 
sleep  first.  I'm  sure  I  could  sleep  if  you  would  go  and 
rest,  Ralph." 

"  Quite  right,  you  are  a  wise  little  woman,  Mrs.  Den- 
mead,"  said  Dr.  Grey. 

Ralph  allowed  himself  to  be  taken  off  by  the  younger 
doctor,  seeing  that  they  thought  it  best  he  should  go. 
They  paused  on  the  way  down  to  visit  the  next  room, 
where  the  good-natured  landlady  sat  in  a  rocking-chair 
by  the  fire  nursing  the  latest  descendant  of  Sir  Ralph 
Denmead  the  Crusader  who,  instead  of  being  born  in  a 
stately  castle,  had  first  seen  the  light  in  Kingsmead  Ter- 
race at  a  lodging  house  specially  reserved  for  what  the 
landlady  termed  "  Theat'icals." 

Ralph  could  only  thank  her  for  all  her  help,  but  he  was 
blessed  with  the  power  of  expression  and  the  good  soul  felt 
fully  rewarded  for  what  she  had  gone  through. 

"  Don't  you  mention  it,  sir,  it's  nothing  but  a  pleasure," 
she  said.  "  Mrs.  Brinton  she  was  here  till  one  o'clock, 
and  a  very  pleasant  spoken  lady  she  is  and  handy  with 
the  child.  And,  says  I  to  her,  the  finest  grown  man  I 
ever  see  in  my  life,  six  foot  two  in  his  stocking  feet,  was 
not  a  morsel  bigger  than  this  baby  to  start  with,  A  fine 
set  up  man  he  was  as  you  could  wish  till  he  lost  his  leg 
along  of  frost  bites  and  under-feeding  in  the  Crimea." 

Ralph  looked  at  the  funny  little  bundle  swathed  in 
flannel  and  almost  laughed  at  the  thought  of  his  possible 
development  into  a  military  hero  of  six  foot  two,  losing  a 


392  WAYFARING  MEN 

leg  for  his  country's  glory!  But  the  mention  of  military 
life  made  him  think  of  Bridget,  and  he  determined  to 
telegraph  to  her  at  once. 

Down  in  the  sitting-room  they  found  MacneiUie  sola- 
cing himself  with  Shakspere  and  a  pipe,  and  delighted  to 
hear  the  more  favourable  report. 

"  You  have  been  up  all  night,  Governor,"  said  Ealph 
regretfully,  when  the  doctor  had  gone. 

"  Well,  yes,  I  was  afraid  you  might  need  me,"  said  Mac- 
neiUie. "  I  had  hardly  dared  to  hope  for  this  good  news. 
Come,  sit  down  and  eat,  boy,  you  are  nearly  played  out. 
I  brewed  some  coffee  for  you,  but  I  don't  know  whether 
it  is  fit  to  drink  now." 

Ealph  obeyed,  eating  like  a  hungry  school  boy,  and  his 
face  gradually  assumed  a  less  ghastly  hue. 

"  What  time  is  rehearsal  ?  "  he  asked  glancing  at  his 
watch.    "  Hullo!  I  forgot  to  wind  it,  and  it  has  run  down." 

"  It's  now  eight,"  said  MacneiUie.  "  Rehearsal  is  at 
eleven,  but  you  won't  be  needed.  I  am  going  to  play 
Hamlet." 

"  No,  Governor,"  said  Ralph  emphatically.  "  I  shall 
be  all  right  after  a  little  sleep,  and  it  was  almost  the  first 
thing  Evereld  thought  of.  Isn't  she  a  model  actor's 
wife?" 

He  knew  well  that  to  play  Hamlet  was  almost  more 
than  MacneiUie  could  endure,  for  long  ago  the  Manager 
had  told  him  that  he  had  acted  it  every  night  before 
Christine  Greville's  wedding,  and  that  it  had  become  so 
bound  up  with  all  the  mental  misery  he  had  gone  through 
at  that  time  that  he  had  never  dared  to  attempt  it  again. 

"  Ah,  she  remembered  it,"  said  MacneiUie  with  a  smile. 
"  That  was  very  like  Evereld.  I  would  put  off  the  per- 
formance if  possible,  but  it  is  promised  for  three  nighta 
and  it  will  be  very  difficult  to  manage  anything  else,  spe- 
cially as  Ivy  Grant  is  hors  de  combat,  too,  and  her  under- 
study such  a  novice.    No,  we  will  give  the  play;  I  have 


WAYFARING  MEN  393 

spent  most  of  the  night  in  company  with  the  Danish 
prince  and  this  evening  he  and  1  will  patch  up  our  an- 
cient quarrel." 

But  Ralph  was  not  to  be  borne  down  by  these  argu- 
ments, and  at  last  Macneillie  agreed  to  a  compromise. 
The  play  had  already  been  rehearsed  for  some  time.  Ealph 
should  be  excused  from  attendance  that  morning,  and  if 
all  were  well  should  play  the  part  as  arranged. 

"  Now  no  more  of  this  argle-bargle  as  we  say  in  Scot- 
land. To  bed  with  you,  or  we  shall  have  you  breaking 
down  this  evening,"  said  Macneillie.  "What?  a  letter 
you  must  write?  " 

"  Only  to  Mrs.  Hereford,  who  you  know  had  promised 
to  house  Evereld  during  her  illness." 

"  I  will  see  to  it,"  said  Macneillie.  "  And  you  want 
this  telegram  to  go  to  that  nice  old  Irish  body,  the  soldier's 
widow?  Well,  leave  them  to  me,  and  get  along  with  you, 
do.  Follow  the  excellent  example  of  that  son  of  yours, 
and  spend  your  time  in  sleeping." 

Ralph  took  the  advice  very  literally  and  for  the  next 
eight  hours  slept  profoundly.  He  was  roused  at  last 
to  a  consciousness  that  someone  was  standing  beside  his 
bed,  and  looking  up  sleepily  was  vaguely  astonished  to 
see  Bridget's  well-known  face.  Was  he  a  boy  again  in 
Sir  Matthew's  house?  And  was  Bridget  as  usual  coming 
in  to  rouse  him  that  he  might  not  incur  his  guardian's 
wrath  by  being  late  for  breakfast?  His  heavy  eyelids 
drooped  again,  when  he  was  suddenly  startled  back  to  full 
recollection  by  the  sound  of  a  wailing  baby  in  the  room 
below. 

"  Why,  that  must  be  the  boy,"  he  reflected.  "  And  I 
am  a  family  man, — and  Sir  Matthew  has  gone  to  Jericho! 
What  news,  Bridget?  "  he  exclaimed  anxiously.  "  How  is 
my  wife?  " 

"  She  is  doing  nicely,  sir,  God  bless  her  sweet  soul! 
Your  dinner  is  ready,  Mr.  Ralph,  and  after  that,  why  you 


394  WAYFARING  MEN 

can  be  coming  in  to  see  mistress.  She  has  had  two  good 
sleeps,  thank  God." 

Bridget  was  in  her  element  with  the  sole  care  of  the 
little  doll-like  baby. 

"  It's  exactly  like  you,  sir,  bless  it,"  she  remarked  when 
Kalph  paused  on  his  way  to  the  theatre  to  take  another 
look  at  his  small  son. 

"  Well,  really,  Bridget!  You  can't  expect  me  to  take 
that  for  a  compliment,"  he  said  laughing.  "  He  has  no 
eyes  to  speak  of — just  a  couple  of  slits — and  as  for  his 
face,  it  seems  to  be  all  nose,  with  just  a  little  margin  of 
pink  puckers." 

"  Ah,  it's  always  the  outsiders  that  can  see  the  like- 
ness," said  Bridget. 

"  Look  here  upon  this  picture,  and  on  this,"  quoted 
Ealph  merrily.  "  You  will  send  me  off  to  play  Hamlet 
in  a  very  humble  and  chastened  mood,  Bridget.  I  never 
thought  I  was  quite  so  ugly." 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  great  strain  he  had  passed 
through,  and  the  present  relief,  quite  blunted  the  feeling 
of  intense  nervousness  which  usually  overwhelmed  him 
when  for  the  first  time  he  played  an  important  character. 
All  his  fellow  actors  too  were  in  sympathy  with  him,  and 
it  did  his  heart  good  to  hear  what  they  said  as  to  Evereld's 
prompt  courage  and  her  plucky  rescue  of  Ivy  Grant.  The 
news  from  the  hospital  was  also  cheering.  Ivy  was  going 
on  as  well  as  could  be  expected,  and  although  her  bums 
were  severe,  she  was  likely  to  be  able  to  resume  her  work  in 
two  or  three  months'  time,  and  thanks  to  Evereld  she  was 
not  at  all  disfigured. 

Ralph's  long  and  patient  study  of  his  part  bore  excel- 
lent fruit.  He  gave  a  really  striking  representation  of 
Hamlet's  lovable  and  strangely  complex  character;  and 
Macneillie  watched  his  pupil  with  satisfaction,  feeling 
to-night  more  than  he  had  ever  done  before  that  Ralph 
had  in  him  the  makings  of  a  really  great  actor. 


WAYFARING  MEN  395 

"If  only  that  brave  little  wife  of  his  is  spared,"  he 
tliought  to  himself,  "  his  future  is  assured.  But  he  is  the 
sort  of  man  who  might  be  altogether  paralysed  by  a  great 
sorrow.  I  should  fancy  it  was  the  early  loss  of  his  wife 
which  turned  the  Vicar  of  Whinhaven  into  a  recluse,  and 
according  to  Ralph  it  was  certainly  a  great  trouble  and 
disappointment  which  finally  killed  the  poor  man.  What 
develops  one  kind  of  nature  ruins  another." 

In  the  course  of  the  next  few  days  there  was  a  great 
deal  of  anxiety  both  on  account  of  Evereld  and  of  the 
child.  In  the  midst  of  it  there  suddenly  appeared  upon 
the  scenes  the  one  person  who  was  most  capable  of  cheer- 
ing and  helping  them  all. 

Mrs.  Hereford,  with  her  sweet  bright  face,  the  youth- 
fulness  and  vivacity  of  which  contrasted  so  curiously  with 
her  prematurely  grey  hair,  took  them  all  by  surprise  and 
was  quietly  announced  one  afternoon  at  the  house  in 
Kingsmead  Terrace. 

"  How  good  of  you  to  come! "  cried  Ralph,  feeling  as 
if  the  mere  sight  of  her  had  lifted  a  load  from  his  mind. 

"  And  how  is  Evereld?  "  she  asked.  "  They  told  me  at 
the  door  she  was  better,  but  I  wasn't  sure  how  much  the 
little  servant  knew." 

"  She  is  better  to-day,"  said  Ralph  with  a  sigh.  "  But  all 
last  night  we  were  terribly  anxious  again,  I  think  it  was 
worrying  over  the  child's  illness." 

"  He  is  very  delicate  I  am  afraid,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford. 

"  Yes,  but  they  are  hopeful  about  him  now.  Yesterday 
they  thought  him  dying,  and  I  had  to  rush  out  for  a 
clergyman  to  get  him  christened." 

"  And  to  go  off  to  your  work  in  the  evening  I  suppose 
not  knowing  how  things  would  be  when  you  came  back." 

"  Yes,"  said  Ralph.  "  That  was  the  worst  part  of  all. 
It  was  my  third  appearance  as  Hamlet,  and  I  all  but 
broke  down." 

"  I  well  remember  what  an  agony  it  used  to  be  to  sing  in 


396  WAYFARING  MEN 

public  when  Dermot  or  Molly  were  dangerously  ill/'  said 
Mrs.  Hereford.  "  And  talking  of  Dermot  reminds  me  of 
what  I  came  to  propose  this  afternoon.  He  is  much 
stronger  but  the  doctor  doesn't  care  for  him  to  be  in  Lon- 
don just  yet.  I  think  of  taking  a  house  here  till  the  Easter 
recess,  and  when  Evereld  can  be  moved  we  think  it  would 
be  a  capital  plan  if  she  came  to  us  here  instead  of  in  town. 
I  am  not  going  to  be  defrauded  of  my  visitor  by  this  pro- 
voking catastrophe.  I  have  been  looking  this  afternoon 
at  a  furnished  house  which  is  to  let  in  Lansdowne  Cres- 
cent, and  if  all  goes  well  I  don't  see  why  in  a  fortnight 
or  three  weeks'  time  Evereld  and  her  baby  should  not 
come  to  us  there.  I  suppose  you  will  have  to  move  on 
elsewhere  with  the  company?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Ealph,  "  I  must  leave  next  Monday,  but 
luckily  we  shall  only  be  at  Bristol  so  I  can  run  over  pretty 
often." 

"  And  we  shall  always  be  delighted  to  have  you  for  your 
Sundays  later  on,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford,  "  don't  you  think 
it  would  be  better  for  Evereld  to  come  to  us?  She  will 
be  rather  lonely  here." 

"  Oh,  it  would  be  the  best  thing  in  the  world  for  her 
to  be  with  you,"  said  Ralph.  "  But  it  will  be  disarranging 
all  your  plans  I  am  afraid, — and  putting  you  to  so  much 
trouble." 

"Not  at  all,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford.  "Evereld  and  I 
shall  both  be  widowed  during  the  week,  that  is  the  only 
drawback;  but  husbands  must  work.  And  in  any  case 
I  should  have  had  to  take  Dermot  somewhere,  for  he  is  the 
last  boy  to  take  care  of  himself  and  will  do  the  most  mad 
things  if  he  hasn't  a  sister  to  look  after  him.  I  tell  him 
it  is  becoming  such  a  tax  that  I  shall  really  have  to  take 
to  matchmaking  and  select  him  a  nice  capable  wife  who 
would  see  that  he  wore  his  great-coat  in  an  east  wind, 
and  didn't  always  sit  in  a  direct  draught.  Ah,  here  is  Mr. 
Macneillie,  we  must  tell  him  of  our  plans." 


WAYFARING  MEN  397 

Macneillie  rang  for  tea,  and  then  they  discussed  the 
future  arrangements  of  which  he  cordially  approved. 

"  And  how  about  the  poor  little  thing  who  was  burnt? 
Is  she  getting  on  well?  "  asked  Mrs.  Hereford. 

"  I  have  Just  been  to  see  her,"  said  Macneillie.  "  Miss 
Orme  and  I  took  her  some  flowers.  She  is  suffering  a 
great  deal  still  poor  child,  but  they  say  she  is  wonderfully 
patient." 

"  I  don't  seem  to  remember  her.  Was  she  with  you  at 
Southbourne?" 

"  No,  she  has  only  been  with  us  a  year,"  said  Macneil- 
lie. "  And  was  getting  on  remarkably  well.  I  hope  she 
will  be  fit  to  act  by  Easter.  She  had  a  very  narrow  es- 
cape, and  owed  her  life  to  Mrs.  Denmead's  presence  of 
mind  and  courage!  They  will  be  greater  friends  than 
ever  after  this." 

"  I  should  like  to  go  and  see  her,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford. 
"  Or  is  she  hardly  up  to  visitors  yet?  " 

"  Oh,  she  would  like  to  see  you,"  said  Kalph,  "  for  she 
has  heard  so  much  about  you." 

"I  am  not  going  to  ask  to  see  Evereld  to-day,  for 
I  am  quite  sure  she  ought  to  be  kept  absolutely  quiet," 
said  Mrs.  Hereford.  "  You  must  tell  her  how  much  I 
look  forward  to  having  her  later  on.  Suppose  we  walk 
round  to  the  hospital  now.  There  will  just  be  time  before 
my  return  train." 

Her  cheery  sensible  talk  did  more  for  Ralph  than  any- 
thing else  could  have  done;  he  poured  out  all  his  anxieties 
to  her,  and  found  in  her  motherly  wisdom  and  her  hope- 
ful words  exactly  what  he  needed  to  tide  him  over  the 
difficulties  Yhich  overwhelmed  him. 

"  What  is  it  about  her?  "  he  thought  to  himself,  as  he 
paced  up  and  down  outside  the  hospital  while  she  paid 
her  visit  to  Ivy.  "  She  seems  to  me  just  like  a  gleam  of 
sunshine  on  a  dark  day,  or  a  fresh  breeze  in  the  summer. 
I  have  met  plenty  of  Irish  women  who  were  friendly  and 


398  WAYFARING  MEN 

pleasant  and  delightful  to  talk  to,  but  it  isn't  a  mere  mat- 
ter of  charm  with  her, — she  seems  to  have  a  heart  wide 
enough  to  take  in  every  one  that  is  in  trouble." 

Doreen  Hereford  did  not  find  it  difficult  to  make  room 
in  her  heart  for  one  so  helpless  and  forlorn  as  Ivy.  The 
merest  glance  at  the  wistful  face  in  the  hospital  ward 
was  sufficient.  And  Ivy  responded  to  her  at  once  and 
felt  all  the  comfort  of  her  presence.  For  Doreen  never 
patronised  people,  she  mothered  them;  and  between 
these  two  forms  of  helpfulness  there  lies  a  world  of  dif- 
ference. 

"  Tell  me  a  little  more  about  that  poor  child,"  she  said 
to  Ralph  as  they  walked  to  the  station.  "You  have 
known  her  for  a  long  time,  have  you  not." 

"  Yes,  her  grandfather  used  to  give  me  elocution  les- 
sons, she  has  been  on  the  stage  since  she  was  ten  and  has 
had  rather  a  hard  apprenticeship.  Evereld  has  taken  a 
great  fancy  to  her  and  she  needs  friends,  poor  girl,  for  she 
is  quite  alone  in  the  world.  The  old  Professor  died  just 
after  our  Scotch  company  broke  up." 

"I  have  been  wondering  what  she  will  do  when  she 
leaves  the  hospital,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford.  "  Would  Ever- 
eld like  it  if  I  asked  her  to  stay  with  us  too?  Or  wouldn't 
that  work  well?" 

"  I  am  sure  she  would  like  it,"  said  Ralph.  "  But  will 
you  have  room  for  them  all?  " 

"  Oh  yes,"  she  said  laughing.  "  It's  a  big  house,  and 
besides  we  Irish  people  know  how  to  stow  away  large  num- 
bers. I  want  somehow  to  see  more  of  little  Miss  Grant, 
there  is  something  very  winning  about  her.  Talk  it  over 
by  and  bye  with  Evereld  and  see  what  she  thinks." 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

"  The  comfort  which  poor  human  beings  want  in  such  a 
world  as  this  is  not  the  comfort  of  ease,  but  the  comfort 
of  strength." 

C.   KiNGSLEY. 

EvERELD  thought  the  whole  plan  a  most  delightful  one, 
and  if  anything  could  have  consoled  her  for  the  parting 
with  Ralph  on  Monday  it  would  have  been  the  prospect  of 
spending  the  time  of  her  convalescence  with  Bride  O'Ry- 
an  and  Mrs.  Hereford,  and  of  knowing  that  Ivy  was  not  to 
be  left  out  in  the  cold  but  was  to  enjoy  just  the  same 
hospitality  and  care. 

On  the  Sunday  she  was  allowed  to  see  Myra  Brinton 
for  the  first  time.  Perhaps  the  events  of  the  week  had 
done  more  for  Myra  than  for  anyone  else;  she  had  been 
so  horrified  to  discover  what  mischief  her  sentimental 
fancy  for  Ralph,  her  jealousy  of  Evereld  and  her  quarrel 
with  Ivy  had  wrought,  that  she  had  taken  herself  thor- 
oughly in  hand,  and  had  learnt  a  lesson  she  would  never 
forget.  As  for  the  baby,  it  played  no  small  part  in  her 
education,  and  Bridget  was  always  delighted  that  she 
should  come  in  and  make  much  of  it. 

"  I  don't  know  how  to  thank  you  enough,"  said  Ever- 
eld looking  up  at  her  gratefully.  "  They  have  all  told 
me  how  good  and  helpful  you  were  last  Monday,  when  no 
one  had  time  to  think  much  of  Baby  Dick." 

"  Is  he  to  be  called  Dick?  "  said  Myra  willing  to  turn 
the  conversation  from  herself. 

"  Yes,  after  my  brother  who  died.    Have  you  seen  Ivy 

yet?" 

"  Oh,  several  times,"  said  Myra.    "  I  wanted  just  to  tell 


400  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

you  that  everything  is  quite  riglit  between  ua  again.  I 
was  very  wrong,  Evereld,  to  tell  you  what  I  did  at  Marden- 
town.  It  was  all  a  mistake  and  I  little  thought  what  it 
would  lead  to.  If  poor  Ivy  had  not  been  in  a  hurry  to  be 
out  of  my  way  before  I  came  back  to  the  dressing-room, 
I  do  believe  the  accident  would  never  have  happened. 
;My  horrible  gossip  might  have  been  the  death  of  both 
of  you.    I  can  never  forget  that." 

"  Don't  let  us  ever  talk  of  it  again,"  said  Evereld.  "  We 
shall  all  three  be  closer  friends  for  the  rest  of  our  lives 
just  because  this  has  happened.  That's  the  only  thing 
that  matters  now.  And  Myra,  I  wanted  to  ask  you  to  be 
Dick's  Godmother.  You  had  all  the  trouble  of  him  at 
first,  and  so  he  seems  rightly  to  belong  to  you.  Mr.  Mac- 
neillie  has  promised  to  be  one  of  the  Godfathers." 

This  was  the  finishing  touch  to  the  reconciliation  and 
a  very  happy  thought  on  the  part  of  the  little  mother. 
Nothing  could  have  pleased  Myra  more,  and  she  left  Bath 
a  much  happier  and  a  much  better  woman. 

Evereld  made  herself  as  happy  as  she  could  with  her 
baby  and  with  old  Bridget  as  companions,  but  her  conva- 
lescence was  tedious,  and  she  was  unspeakably  glad  when 
at  length  the  day  arrived  for  her  removal  to  the  Here- 
ford's house  in  Lansdowne  Crescent. 

The  beautiful  view  of  the  Somersetshire  hills  and  of 
tlie  grey  city  in  the  valley  below,  which  she  gained  from 
her  window,  the  cheerful  sense  of  family  life  going  on  all 
about  her,  the  companionship  of  Bride  O'Ryan,  and  the 
comfort  of  having  Mrs.  Hereford  always  at  hand  to  ad- 
vise her  about  Dick  and  to  share  all  her  anxieties,  seemed 
exactly  what  she  needed. 

Her  voice  recovered  its  tone,  her  cheeks  regained  their 
fresh  bright  colour,  and  she  became  once  more  just  a  girl 
again,  ready  to  enjoy  life  in  her  own  quiet  fashion." 

"  I  could  almost  fancy  we  were  back  at  school,"  said 
Bride  cheerfully. 

"  When,  as  at  present  I'm  in  the  shade  with  the  light 


WAYFARING  MEN  401 

behind  me,"  quoted  Evereld  merrily.  "  My  hands  are 
about  the  worst  part  of  mc  now,  tliey  are  so  horribly 
white,  otherwise  you  must  own  that  I  am  quite  present- 
able. How  strange  it  seems  though  to  think  of  the  life  at 
Southboume.  It  was  so  happy  while  it  lasted,  but  the 
thought  of  going  back  to  it  is  dreadful," 

"  Instead  you  spend  half  the  day  in  playing  with  Dick," 
said  Bride  teasingly.  "  The  amount  of  time  you  waste 
on  that  child  is  appalling." 

"  I'm  not  going  to  be  one  of  those  horrid  modern  moth- 
ers who  never  have  time  to  see  their  own  babies,"  said 
Evereld.  "  It  would  have  been  wrong  to  have  had  him 
at  all  if  I  didn't  mean  to  be  his  best  friend  from  the  very 
beginning  right  through  his  life." 

"  Do  you  mean  him  to  be  an  actor?  "  asked  Bride,  look- 
ing at  the  funny  little  face  nestled  close  to  Evereld  and 
wondering  what  it  would  develop  into. 

"  I  should  like  it  if  he  has  all  that  is  needed  to  make 
one,"  said  Evereld,  "  but  who  can  prophesy  whether  he 
has  any  special  gift,  or  whether  he  has  patience  for  all 
the  drudgery  it  involves?  " 

"  Tell  me  what  you  really  think  of  the  life,  now  that 
you  have  had  some  experience  of  it,"  said  Bride.  "  Quite 
candidly,  don't  you  find  it  very  monotonous?  " 

"  No,  I  have  found  it  very  interesting,"  said  Evereld. 
"  I  can  fancy  though  that  it  must  be  trying  to  do  noth- 
ing but  one  play  for  many  hundreds  of  nights.  In  a  com- 
pany like  ours  you  see  we  get  plenty  of  variety." 

"  And  you  don't  mind  the  moving  about  week  by 
week?  " 

"  Oh,  sometimes  it  is  tiresome,  but  there  are  many  ad- 
vantages. Mr.  Macneillie  knows  a  host  of  interesting 
people,  all  over  the  country,  and  they  are  generally  very 
hospitable  to  us;  besides  I  like  getting  to  know  fresh 
places,  and  as  a  rule  the  journeys  are  not  very  long  or 
tiring.    Sometimes  I  used  to  get  a  little  bored  by  the  in- 


402  WAYFARING  MEN 

cessant  talk  about  things  connected  with  the  stage.  But 
that  would  be  just  the  same  in  any  other  profession.  Don't 
you  remember  how  at  the  chateau  we  used  to  get  so  weary 
of  the  talk  between  Mr.  Magnay  and  his  two  artist  friends? 
They  say  it  is  exactly  the  same  among  authors,  when  two 
or  three  of  them  are  together  they  can't  help  talking  shop. 
And  as  to  clergymen,  why  they  are  proverbial!  I  suppose 
Kingsley  was  the  only  one  who  ever  did  entirely  banish 
'  clerical  shop '  from  his  home  talk." 

"  Well,  I  think  you  are  very  wonderful  people  to  be 
able  to  travel  about  for  so  long  without  losing  your  tem- 
pers or  quarrelling  like  the  Kilkenny  cats,"  said  Bride. 
"  There's  nothing  on  earth  so  trying  to  the  temper  as 
going  about  with  people.  I  suppose  that's  why  they  al- 
ways make  an  unfortunate  married  couple  travel  on  the 
continent.  They  learn  in  that  way  what  sort  of  life  is  in 
store  for  them." 

Evereld  laughed.  "  You  know  we  do  now  and  then 
quarrel  a  little,  but  as  a  rule  we  are  all  very  friendly. 
There  is  only  one  thing  I  cannot  stand,  and  I  hope  we 
shall  never  have  such  an  infliction  again." 

"What  is  that?"  said  Bride  smiling  at  her  friend's 
vehemence. 

**  A  wealthy  amateur  who  thinks  he  can  act  but  can't," 
said  Evereld.  "  Oh,  if  you  knew  what  we  have  endured 
all  the  autumn  from  an  empty-headed  fellow,  who  thought 
himself  a  genius!  " 

"  What  did  he  do?  "  said  Bride. 

"What  did  he  not  do!  He  was  insufferably  rude  to 
Mr.  Macneillie,  he  hated  Ealph  because  he  wanted  the 
Juvenile  Lead  himself,  he  treated  all  the  other  men  as 
though  they  were  beneath  contempt,  he  persecuted  all 
the  ladies  of  the  company  with  tiresome  attentions,  and  he 
was  always  dragging  into  the  conversation  the  names  of 
titled  people  of  his  acquaintance,  or  dropping  coroneted 
envelopes  in  a  casual  way.    Somehow  he  contrived  to  set 


WAYFARING  MEN  403 

us  all  at  sixes  and  sevens,  and  there  was  joy  throughout 
the  company  when  at  last  something  offended  him  and 
he  suddenly  brought  his  engagement  to  an  end." 

Bride  laughed  heartily  as  she  heard  of  the  stratagem  by 
which  the  Manager  had  contrived  to  bring  about  this 
much  desired  event. 

"  Who  would  ever  think  that  Mr.  Macneillie  had  so 
much  fun  in  him  as  you  describe/'  she  said.  "  His  face 
is  grave  almost  to  sternness." 

"  Yes,  but  when  it  does  light  up  he  hardly  looks  like 
the  same  man,"  said  Evereld.  "  I  don't  think  he  would 
ever  have  stood  the  wear  and  tear  of  his  life  if  it  hadn't 
been  for  his  strong  vein  of  humour." 

And  with  that  she  fell  to  musing  on  the  strange  fact 
which  most  people  discover  sooner  or  later,  that  it  is  not 
the  prosperous  and  happy  people  who  as  a  rule  are  blessed 
with  this  divine  gift  of  a  sense  of  the  humourous,  but  the 
people  whose  lives  are  clouded  with  care  and  anxiety,  or 
those  who  have  to  go  about  the  world  with  an  aching 
heart,  or  to  bear  the  consequences  of  another's  sin.  To 
such  as  these  often  enough,  by  some  mysterious  law  of 
compensation,  there  comes  a  power,  not  only  of  feeling  the 
pathos  of  life  more  acutely,  but  of  perceiving  in  every- 
thing— even  in  matters  connected  with  their  own  sorrows 
— the  subtle  touches  of  humour  which  keep  life  healthy 
and  pure. 

She  noticed  it  very  much  in  Dermot  O'Eyan,  who  young 
as  he  was  had  passed  through  a  hard  apprenticeship  of 
ill  health,  misfortune,  political  imprisonment,  and  misun- 
derstanding that  to  one  of  his  temperament  was  exces- 
sively hard  to  bear. 

He  was  the  only  one  of  the  O'Eyans  who  had  any  lite- 
rary tastes,  and  now  being  cut  off  by  his  recent  illness 
from  active  political  life  he  was  busy  with  a  Memoir  of 
his  father,  a  well-known  man  in  the  Fenian  rising  of  '65, 
who  had  died  from  the  effects  of  his  subsequent  imprison- 
ment. 


404  WAYFARING  MEN 

Dermot  was  a  thorough  Kelt,  and  Evereld  thought  his 
sweet-tempered,  philosophic  patience,  made  him  a  most 
delightful  companion.  They  had  liked  each  other  at 
Southbourne,  and  had  become  firm  friends  during  Ever- 
eld's  stay  at  Auvergne,  so  that  they  quickly  fell  into  very 
easy  terms  of  intimacy.  They  were  sitting  together  in 
the  large  sunny  drawing-room  and  Bride  was  reading  a 
page  of  the  Memoir  upon  which  Dermot  wanted  a  special 
criticism,  when  Mrs.  Hereford  returned  from  the  hos- 
pital bringing  Ivy  with  her.  Dermot  looked  up  rather 
curiously  to  see  the  girl  of  whom  he  had  heard  so  much, 
but  instead  of  a  beautiful  and  striking  face  which  he 
could  either  have  admired  or  criticised,  he  saw  a  little 
childish  creature,  with  startled  blue-grey  eyes  and  a  wist- 
ful face  which  was  not  exactly  pretty  but  was  somehow 
more  fascinating  than  if  it  had  possessed  more  regular 
features. 

At  sight  of  Evereld,  Ivy  forgot  everything  and  ran 
across  the  room  to  greet  her;  she  was  so  small  and  grace- 
ful and  light  that  it  seemed  almost  as  if,  like  the  birds, 
she  had  special  air  cells  in  her  bones,  for  her  movements 
had  in  them  something  altogether  unusual  so  that  merely 
to  watch  her  limbs  was  keen  delight. 

She  had,  too,  an  eager  quick  way  of  talking,  and  by  the 
time  she  had  been  introduced  to  Dermot  he  felt  that  the 
scrap  of  a  hand  put  into  his  had  carried  away  his  heart. 

"  I  have  heard  of  you  from  Mrs.  Denmead,"  she  said. 
"  You  were  one  of  the  imprisoned  patriots." 

"  Oh,  most  of  us  have  a  turn  at  that  sort  of  thing,"  he 
said  smiling.    "  It's  part  of  an  Irishman's  training." 

Bride  made  some  remark  about  the  manuscript,  and  the 
talk  became  general,  Ivy  entering  this  new  world  with 
a  sense  of  keen  interest,  and  quite  in  the  humour  to  study 
Irish  history  with  Dermot  as  schoolmaster. 

During  her  illness  she  had  had  more  leisure  to  think 
than  had  ever  before  been  the  case.    For  five  weeks  there 


WAYFARING  MEN  405 

had  been  nothing  to  do,  but  to  keep  quiet  and  to  recover 
as  steadily  as  might  be.  At  first  she  had  suffered  too 
much  to  make  any  use  of  the  time,  but  later  on,  when  she 
was  convalescent,  there  were  long  hours  when  she  learnt 
more  of  the  real  truth  of  things  than  she  had  hitherto 
grasped.  The  mere  physical  pain  seemed  afterwards  to 
fit  her  to  understand  what  had  hitherto  been  a  riddle  to 
her,  and  the  strong  feeling  for  Evereld  which  grew  and 
deepened  in  her  heart  did  wonders  for  her.  All  her  na- 
ture seemed  to  have  become  more  tender  and  sweet;  and 
whereas  in  time  past  she  would  have  flirted  violently  with 
Dermot  and  played  with  him  as  a  cat  plays  witli  a  mouse, 
she  seemed  now  to  have  laid  aside  all  her  silly  little  affec- 
tations and  coquetries,  and  to  be  capable  of  realising  that 
love  is  not  a  game,  or  a  pastime,  or  a  selfish  having,  but 
rather  the  entrance  to  all  that  is  most  sacred,  the  mutual 
sacrifice  of  self,  the  nearest  approach  of  humanity  to  the 
life  divine. 

Dermot  made  no  secret  of  his  admiration  for  the  little 
actress,  it  was  quite  patent  to  all  observers,  but  his  devo- 
tion was  so  unlike  anything  she  had  hitherto  come  across 
in  life  that  Ivy  herself  was  never  startled  by  it.  She 
quietly  drifted  into  love  with  him,  waking  into  an  alto- 
gether new  world  as  she  did  so,  a  world  far  removed  from 
the  reach  of  men  like  Mr.  Vane-Ffoulkes  with  their  com- 
pliments, and  their  presents,  and  their  so-called  love, 
which  she  knew  all  the  time  to  be  nothing  but  thinly- 
veiled  selfishness. 

At  last  one  day,  when  Ivy  was  out  driving  with  Mrs. 
Hereford,  Dermot  seized  the  opportunity  of  a  confidential 
talk  with  Evereld  as  she  sat  at  work  by  the  fire. 

"  I  want  you  to  give  me  your  advice,"  he  began,  throw- 
ing down  his  pen  and  drawing  a  little  nearer  to  her.  "  Do 
you  think  there  is  any  hope  at  all  for  me  with  Miss  Grant? 
I  am  sure  you  know  without  any  telling  that  I  fell  in  love 
with  her  the  moment  she  came  here.  Do  you  think  there 
is  any  hope  for  me?  " 


4o6  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  That  depends,"  said  Evereld  thoughtfully. 

"  Depends  on  what?  "  he  asked  eagerly. 

"  Well,  you  see  Ivy  really  cares  for  her  profession  and 
is  just  beginning  to  succeed  in  it.  I  don't  think  she 
would  consent  to  retire." 

"  I  could  never  allow  my  wife  to  remain  on  the  stage," 
said  Dermot  his  face  clouding. 

"  Then  I  don't  think  you  have  any  business  to  go  to 
the  theatre,"  said  Evereld.  "  Every  woman  you  see  on 
the  stage  is  somebody's  wife  or  somebody's  daughter." 

"  If  one  realised  that,  the  disgusting  things  which 
amuse  some  audiences  would  fail  for  want  of  support," 
said  Dermot  musingly.  "  Not  that  I  imagine  for  a  mo- 
ment that  Miss  Grant  would  ever  accept  an  engagement 
of  which  she  really  disapproved.  Doreen  would  agree  with 
her  as  to  sticking  to  her  profession,  and  perhaps  she  is 
right." 

"  Having  got  on  so  well  while  she  is  young,"  said  Ever- 
eld, "  for  she  won't  be  eighteen  till  May,  there  seems  every 
prospect  of  her  soon  getting  to  a  really  good  position. 
And  there  is  a  sort  erf  fascination  about  her — she  is  always 
popular." 

"  You  mean  that  I  shall  have  a  host  of  rivals." 

"  Possibly,  but  you  are  early  in  the  field  and  indeed  I 
think  you  stand  a  very  good  chance." 

"  Do  you  think  it  would  be  wrong  if  I  spoke  to  her 
now?    Would  it  spoil  the  rest  of  this  time  for  her?  " 

"  Well  that  would  depend  on  the  answer  she  gave  you," 
said  Evereld  laughing.  "  But  indeed  I  think  Ivy  is  just 
the  sort  of  girl  who  would  be  happier  if  engaged  while  she 
is  quite  young.  You  see  she  is  much  in  the  position  I 
was  in — quite  alone  in  the  world  with  no  relations  and  but 
few  friends." 

So  Dermot,  who  detested  waiting  and  was  never  at  a 
loss  for  words,  seized  an  early  opportunity  of  urging  his 
suit,  and  Max  Hereford,  coming  down  from  town  on  the 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  407 

following  Saturday,  was  greeted  by  his  wife  with  the  news 
that  the  two  were  just  engaged, 

"  I  told  you  what  the  result  would  be  when  you  hos- 
pitably invited  that  little  actress,"  he  said  laughing. 
"  There  never  was  such  a  matchmaker  as  you  are,  mavour- 
neen,  I  knew  something  had  happened  the  moment  I 
caught  sight  of  your  face." 

"  They  are  so  happy,"  she  said  smiling,  "  and  Ivy  is  so 
gentle  and  sweet;  Dermot  will  be  exactly  the  right  sort 
of  husband  for  her  I  do  believe.  And  she  will  make  him 
just  the  capable,  brisk,  bright  little  wife  that  such  a 
dreamy  philosopher  needs." 

"  But  I  do  hope  they  are  not  going  to  marry  upon  Der- 
mot's  penwork,"  said  Max  Hereford.  "  He  is  making  a 
good  income  now,  but  of  course  one  can't  tell  when  he 
may  be  laid  up,  for  I  fear  he  will  never  be  strong." 

"  Oh,  they  are  quite  content  to  wait  for  five  or  six 
years,"  said  Mrs.  Hereford.  "  And  I  am  thankful  to  say 
Dermot's  Eastern  ideas  as  to  wives  are  being  overcome 
by  Ivy's  practical  good  sense.  She  won't  hear  of  giving 
up  her  work,  and  in  a  talk  I  had  with  her  the  other  day 
she  spoke  so  sensibly  of  professional  life,  which  she  knows 
pretty  thoroughly,  that  I  am  sure  she  is  right  about  it. 
She  has  the  makings  of  a  very  fine  character  in  her,  and 
I  shall  not  be  surprised  if  Dermot's  marriage  proves  as 
great  a  success  as  Michael's  has  done." 

"  "We  shall  now  not  be  happy  until  Mollie  and  Bride  are 
arranged  for,"  said  Max  Hereford  teasingly,  "  and  then 
there  are  our  own  children  coming  on,  so  you  have  your 
work  cut  out  for  you,  dear.  By  and  bye  there  will  be 
match-making  for  the  nieces  and  nephews,  and  after  that 
no  doubt  a  few  grandchildren  coming  on.  So  you  will  be 
able  to  keep  your  hand  in." 

"And  isn't  it  the  least  I  can  be  doing  then,  since  my 
own  married  life  has  been  so  happy?  "  she  said  laughing. 

Ivy,  who  had  not  yet  seen  Mr.  Hereford,  stood  rather  in 


4o8  WAYFARING  MEN 

awe  of  him  and  looked  up  apprehensively  when  her  future 
brother-in-law  came  into  the  drawing-room  where  she  was 
helping  Dermot  with  some  proofs.  However  his  greeting 
was  so  kindly  and  his  congratulations  to  Dermot  sounded 
so  genuine  that  her  fears  were  soon  set  at  rest;  she  felt 
that  the  family  had  fully  adopted  her  and  that  she  was  no 
longer  one  of  the  waifs  of  the  world. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

"  The  grace  of  God,  the  light  and  life  that  flow  from  His 
indwelling,  can  lift  the  very  weariest  and  hardest-driven 
soul  into  a  dignity  of  endurance,  a  radiance  of  faith,  a  sim- 
plicity of  love,  far  above  all  that  this  world  can  give  or  take 
away."  Dean  Paget. 

But  perhaps  no  one  so  thoroughly  rejoiced  in  the  news 
of  the  engagement  as  Myra  Brinton.  It  was  Ivy  herself 
who  lirst  told  her,  when  she  and  Evereld  with  Bridget  and 
Dick  in  attendance  rejoined  the  company  at  Worcester. 
Ralph  had  of  course  heard  all  about  it  the  first  Sunday 
he  had  visited  them  at  Bath,  but  he  had  kept  his  own 
counsel,  for  Ivy  preferred  telling  her  own  news  herself 
both  to  Macneillie  and  to  her  friends  in  the  company. 

Nothing  could  so  completely  have  restored  peace  and 
harmony  between  Myra  and  Ivy,  all  the  past  mistakes  and 
disagreements  faded  into  oblivion,  and  the  two  became 
once  more  excellent  friends. 

As  for  little  Dick  he  soon  became  the  darling  of  the 
whole  company.  Thanks  to  Bridget's  good  management 
he  throve  wonderfully,  spent  most  of  his  time  in  sleeping, 
seldom  cried,  and  behaved  with  discretion  on  journeys, 
to  the  immense  satisfaction  of  his  mother,  who  proudly  re- 
flected that  not  even  the  most  crabbed  old  bachelor  in  the 
company  could  ever  complain  that  Dick  was  in  the  way. 

Like  a  true  Denmead  he  was  thoroughly  well-bred  and 
had  a  way  of  accommodating  himself  to  all  surroundings  ; 
but  Evereld  saw  he  would  run  an  excellent  chance  of  being 
spoilt  as  soon  as  he  grew  a  little  older,  for  everyone  made 
much  of  him  and  he  received  votive  offerings  in  such  pro- 
fusion that  it  became  difficult  to  pack  them.  Even  the 
low  comedv  man  broke  hi?  rule  of  silence  so  far  as  to 


4IO  WAYFARING  MEN 

inquire  occasionally  after  his  health,  and  at  Christinas 
presented  him  with  a  magnificent  red  and  blue  clown  who 
shook  his  head  to  solemn  music. 

As  to  Macneillie,  though  he  had  always  professed  total 
indifference  to  children,  he  was  completely  subjugated  by 
the  wiles  of  his  Godson.  Either  from  insight  into  cha- 
racter, or  from  some  consideration  of  the  strong  hands 
and  arms  which  held  him  so  delightfully,  Dick  preferred 
the  manager  to  anyone  else  in  the  world;  his  father's 
long  slender  hands  and  taper  fingers  were  not  to  be  com- 
pared for  a  moment  with  the  comfort  of  the  highlander's 
firm  and  comfortable  grasp.  And  Macneillie  found  it  im- 
possible to  resist  the  subtle  flattery  of  this  small  worship- 
per who  was  always  ready  to  laugh  and  shout  with  glee 
at  the  mere  sight  of  him.  In  his  darkest  hours  the  little 
elf  would  often  cajole  him  into  a  temporary  forgetfulness, 
seeming  indeed  to  take  a  special  delight  in  beguiling  him 
into  a  romp,  whenever  his  clouded  brow  betokened  that  his 
own  great  trouble  and  the  bitter  thought  of  Christine's 
lonely  and  difficult  life  were  weighing  him  down. 

On  the  whole  the  years  which  followed  the  birth  of 
Ealph's  child  were  as  happy  as  any  Macneillie  had  known 
since  Christine's  marriage,  and  as  tranquil  as  his  life  was 
ever  likely  to  be.  Ealph  and  Evereld  were  like  a  son  and 
daughter  to  him,  and  both  were  able  to  do  much  to  help 
him  in  the  busy  and  harassing  days  which  fall  to  the  lot 
of  most  managers. 

Still  there  was  no  denying  that  his  private  troubles  had 
more  or  less  shattered  his  health;  he  worked  on  bravely, 
as  had  always  been  his  custom,  but  now  and  then  an  in- 
tolerable sense  of  weariness  crept  over  him  and  he  would 
wonder  how  much  longer  he  could  keep  going. 

At  last,  soon  after  Dick  had  celebrated  his  second  birth- 
day, the  manager  suddenly  broke  down. 

There  was  nothing  which  could  definitely  account  for 
his  failure;  he  had  indeed  been  very  busy  with  prepara- 


WAYFARING  MEN  4n 

tions  for  the  Shaksperian  Performances  at  Stratford-on- 
Avon,  which  were  that  year  to  be  given  by  his  company 
during  the  birthday  week.  But  hard  work  seldom  does 
people  any  harm.  It  was  rather  that  he  had  for  years 
been  bearing  a  load  which  overtaxed  his  strength  and  at 
last,  from  sheer  exhaustion,  nature  gave  way. 

His  old  enemy,  utter  sleeplessness,  returned  to  torment 
him,  and  there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  obey  the  doctor's 
orders  and  go  to  Scotland  for  rest  and  change. 

"  You  are  looking  sorely  fagged,  Hugh,"  was  his  moth- 
er's comment  when  on  the  evening  of  his  arrival  at  Cal- 
lander they  sat  together  by  the  fireside.  It  was  some 
months  since  she  had  seen  him  and  she  was  quick  to  note 
that  he  was  hollow-cheeked  and  that  his  face,  as  she  ex- 
pressed it,  "  looked  all  eyes." 

"  Scottish  air  will  soon  cure  me,"  he  said  with  forced 
cheerfulness.    "  I  shall  sleep  to-night." 

"  Ah  lad,"  she  said  with  a  sigh,  "  and  what  reason  is 
there  that  you  should  not  be  always  breathing  your  na- 
tive air?  If  3'OU  had  but  chosen  the  calling  I  would  have 
had  you  choose,  how  different  all  might  have  been." 

"  Yes,  we  might  now  have  been  sitting  in  the  most 
comfortable  Manse,"  said  Macneillie,  a  gleam  of  humour 
lighting  up  his  grave  face.  "  Instead  of  a  lean  and  hard- 
worked  actor,  roaming  from  place  to  place,  I  might  have 
been  a  portly  minister  revered  by  half  the  neighbour- 
hood." 

"  I  believe  you  are  tired  of  your  wandering  life  after 
all,"  she  said,  scrutinizing  his  careworn  face  with  her  keen 
eyes. 

"  Deadly  tired,"  he  admitted  with  a  sigTi.  "  But  what 
has  that  to  do  with  it?  Are  not  half  the  manses  in  the 
land  filled  with  weary  men  who  would  give  anything  for 
a  change  in  the  dull  routine  of  the  work  they  are  called 
to  do?  It  is  the  same  with  all  of  us,  Mother.  However 
much  we  love  our  profession  there  must  be  hard  times  now 


412  WAYFARING  MEN 

and  again,  and  somehow  we  have  got  to  live  through  them 
like  men." 

She  did  not  repl}',  but  silently  knitted  away  at  one  of 
his  socks,  thinking  to  herself  how  different  his  life  would 
have  been  had  she  had  the  ordering  of  it.  He  should 
have  come  to  great  honour,  should  have  been  a  noted 
preacher  filling  a  high  position  in  Edinburgh,  he  should 
have  married  well,  and  about  her  in  her  old  age  troops 
of  grandchildren  should  have  played.  As  it  was,  his  life 
had  she  felt  been  wrecked  by  the  luckless  taste  for  dra- 
matic art  which  had  puzzled  her  so  much  from  his  child- 
hood upwards.  She  laid  all  his  nrisfortunes  to  that  strange 
and  unaccountable  passion  for  acting  which  she  was 
wholly  unable  to  comprehend.  It  was  this  which  had 
brought  him  into  contact  with  Christine  Greville,  this 
which  had  debarred  him  from  marriage,  this  which  had 
for  years  prevented  him  from  settling  down,  and  forced 
hira  to  lead  the  life  of  a  wanderer. 

''Hugh,"  she  said,  "is  it  even  now  too  late?  Could 
you  not  give  up  acting  and  do  something  more  worthy 
of  your  powers?  " 

He  started  as  though  someone  had  struck  him  a  blow. 

"Give  up  my  profession?"  he  said  in  amazement. 
"  Why  no,  mother,  I  could  never  do  that.  I  am  tired  out 
and  in  a  grumbling  mood  but  you  must  not  take  me  too 
literally.  My  vocation  has  saved  me  again  and  again  from 
making  utter  shipwreck.  Depend  upon  it  no  other  work 
is  as  you  would  say  '  more  worthy  '  of  me." 

She  urged  it  no  more;  but  the  old  sore  feeling  that  his 
mother  could  not  understand  his  point  of  view,  that  she 
still  in  her  heart  desired  him  to  take  up  work  for  which 
he  was  wholly  unfitted,  came  back  to  mar  the  entire  peace 
of  Macneillie's  holiday. 

On  the  Saturday  before  Holy  Week  he  could  no  longer 
resist  the  restless  craving  for  change  which  took  posses- 
sion of  him  as  his  sfrenpth  gradually  returned.     And  ta- 


WAY  PARING  MEN  413 

king  leave  of  his  mother  he  left  Callander  and  travelled 
down  to  Stratford,  intending  there  to  await  the  arrival  of 
his  company  later  on. 

It  was  a  mild  bright  afternoon  in  mid  April  when  he 
reached  the  quiet  little  town.  It  seemed  to  sleep  tran- 
quilly in  the  golden  sunshine,  scarcely  a  breath  of  air 
stirred  the  trees,  the  beautiful  spire  of  the  stately  old 
church  rose  into  the  bluest  of  skies,  and  the  green  fields 
flecked  with  daisies  seemed  to  be  just  the  right  setting 
for  a  picture  so  fair  and  peaceful.  The  pastoral  character 
of  the  scenery  somehow  suited  Macneillie's  mood  better 
even  than  the  rugged  mountains  of  his  own  land.  Surely 
in  this  quiet  loveliness,  rich  in  associations  with  the  great 
Master  he  could  gain  the  rest  and  the  ease  he  so  grievously 
needed! 

He  would  spend  his  days  on  the  river,  would  not  allow 
any  business  anxieties  or  arrangements  for  the  following 
week  to  invade  his  repose;  Sliakspere  and  Shakspere's 
country  should  hearten  him  for  the  future — the  quiet 
of  Holy  Week  should  lift  him  up  out  of  the  depression 
which  sought  to  drag  him  back  into  its  dreary  torture 
chambers. 

So  he  thought  to  himself  on  the  evening  of  his  arrival; 
forgetting  that  "  through  the  shadow  of  an  agony  cometh 
redemption  "; — never  dreaming  that  in  this  most  tran- 
quil place  he  was  to  be  confronted  with  the  worst  ordeal 
of  his  whole  life. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

"  World's  use  is  cold — world's  love  is  vain, — 
World's  cruelty  is  bitter  bane  ; 
But  pain  is  not  the  fruit  of  pain." 

E.  B.  Browning. 

If  life  during  the  past  three  years  had  been  difficult  for 
Macneillie  it  had  been  tenfold  more  difficult  for  Christine 
Greville.  As  everyone  had  foreseen,  her  position  called 
for  a  strength  of  character  which  she  did  not  possess,  for 
a  power  of  endurance  which  she  was  only  learning  by  slow 
degrees,  and  for  that  sound  judgment  and  prompt  wo- 
manly \\asdom  which  had  never  been  her  strong  point. 

She  had  indeed  resigned  the  cares  and  anxieties  of  Man- 
agement, but  this  also  meant  that  she  was  obliged  to  put 
up  with  whatever  arrangements  commended  themselves  to 
Barry  Sterne  at  the  theatre;  and  though  he  and  his  wife 
had  always  been  good  friends  to  her  she  was  often  unable 
to  approve  of  his  way  of  looking  at  things. 

They  had  nearly  come  to  a  serious  disagreement  when 
he  engaged  Dudley  the  comedian  assuring  her  that  the 
man  had  quite  lived  down  his  past.  And  though  time  had 
more  or  less  reconciled  her  to  this  belief,  she  was  never 
quite  without  the  instinct  which  had  made  Myra  Kay 
shrink  from  the  man  in  Scotland.  She  grew  to  feel  a  little 
more  confidence  in  him  when  one  day  he  happened  to 
mention  Ralph  Denmcad  in  her  presence.  It  was  not  so 
much  what  he  said,  but  rather  his  tone  and  expression 
when  referring  to  Ralph. 

"  So  young  Dcnmead  is  to  play  Orlando  at  Stratford 
next  month,  I  see,"  he  observed  one  morning  before  re- 


WAYFARING  MEN  41S 

hearsal.  ''  That  boy  will  do  well  if  I'lii  iiot  mistaken. 
There  was  a  touch  of  genius  about  hiin  even  when  I  knew 
him  as  a  half-starved  novice  in  Scotland." 

"  Did  you  know  him  then?  "  said  Christine  for  the  first 
time  volunteering  an  unnecessary  remark  to  Dudley.  "  He 
used  to  tell  me  when  I  was  acting  with  him  in  Edinburgh 
what  straits  he  had  been  reduced  to  during  the  spring." 

"  Yes,  we  had  a  rough  time,  but  he  was  always  a  plucky, 
goodnatured  fellow  ready  to  take  the  fortune  of  war.  I'm 
glad  he  has  fallen  on  his  feet.  Macneillie  has  been  the 
making  of  him." 

"  They  say  Macneillie's  health  has  broken  down,"  said 
another  actor  strolling  up.  "  He  has  gone  to  Scotland  to 
recruit." 

"  He  has  been  roaming  about  the  world  too  long,"  re- 
marked a  third.  "  I  wonder  he  doesn't  give  up  his  travel- 
ling company  and  settle  in  town.  It  would  be  better  for 
him  in  every  way." 

"  Well  he's  doing  very  good  work,"  said  Dudley.  "  As 
a  matter  of  fact  his  company  and  Lorimer's  are  the  only 
training  schools  we  have  for  the  stage.  How  can  the  ri- 
sing generation  learn  otherwise  in  these  days  of  long 
runs? " 

The  arrival  of  Barry  Sterne  checked  the  conversation 
at  this  moment  and  Christine  turned  away  sick  at  heart, 
to  get  through  her  work  as  well  as  she  could  to  the  tune  of 
those  haunting  words — "His  health  has  broken  down!  " 

Was  it  true?  Or  had  some  lying  paragraph  in  a  news- 
paper set  afloat  a  false  report? 

Her  whole  nature  seemed  to  rise  up  in  rebellion  against 
the  miserable  ignorance  of  his  movements  to  which  she 
was  doomed.  It  tortured  her  to  think  that  dozens  of 
people  who  were  wholly  indifferent  to  him  knew  all, 
while  she  was  racked  with  anxiety  and  fear  on  his  behalf. 

She  went  home  feeling  wretched  beyond  expression; 
even  Charlie's  eager  greeting  could  not  bring  a  smile  to 
her  face  or  ease  her  pain. 


416  WAYFARING  MEN 

*'  Auntie,"  he  exclaimed,  "  there's  a  lady  in  the  draw- 
ing-room waiting  to  see  you.  She  has  been  here  a  long 
time,  and  she  would  wait  for  you.  Susan  says  she  looks 
as  if  she  were  in  great  trouble." 

"  What  name  did  she  give?  "  asked  Christine,  her  mind 
still  full  of  Hugh  Macneillie's  illness,  and  a  terror  seizing 
her  that  some  bearer  of  ill  news  had  come. 

Dugald  Linklater  handed  her  a  card  which  bore  a 
name  quite  unknown  to  her, — Mrs.  Bouvery.  She  rose 
with  a  sigh  of  weariness. 

"  Don't  wait  for  me,  Charlie,"  she  said,  "  I  am  not 
hungry  and  will  interview  this  lady  first." 

Everything  in  Christine's  drawing-room  was  in  the  per- 
fection of  taste,  there  were  no  bright  colours;  no  incongru- 
ous mixtures,  the  prevailing  tint  was  a  quiet  low-toned 
blue:  birds  sang  in  the  window,  and  ever}'where  her  love 
of  growing  plants  manifested  itself.  Xothing  could  have 
been  more  restful  and  harmonious  than  the  effect  of  the 
whole,  and  probably  no  one  could  have  seemed  more  tran- 
quil and  self-possessed  than  the  graceful  fair-haired  wo- 
man who  came  forward  to  greet  her  visitor,  though  all  the 
time  beneath  the  surface  her  restless  heart  was  full  of 
passionate  pain. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  have  kept  you  waiting  so  long,"  she 
said,  her  clear  musical  voice  making  each  syllable  a  sepa- 
rate delight  to  the  ear.  As  she  spoke  she  looked  wonder- 
ingly  into  the  hard  grief-worn  face  of  the  elderly  lady 
who  had  risen  as  she  entered  and  had  coldly  acknowledged 
her  greeting. 

There  was  an  uncomfortable  pause. 

"  Can  I  do  anything  for  you?  "  said  Christine,  wonder- 
ing whether  her  visitor  had  called  for  a  subscription,  or 
whether  she  was  perhaps  the  mother  of  some  stage-struck 
girl  come  for  advice? 

"  Yes,"  said  Mrs.  Bouvery,  "  you  can  listen  to  what  I 
have  to  tell  you.  You  have  broken  my  daughter's  heart 
madam,  you  have  ruined  her  life." 


WAYFARING  MEN  417 

JTervous  terror  began  to  fill  Christine's  mind.  Surely 
this  lady  must  be  mad.  She  instinctively  measured  the 
distance  from  the  place  where  she  was  sitting  to  the  door. 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,"  she  faltered.  "  There 
must  be  some  mistake.    I  do  not  even  know  your  name." 

"  Your  name  unfortunately  is  only  too  familiar  to  us, 
however,"  said  her  visitor  remorseless^.  "  My  daughter 
was  engaged  to  be  married  to  Captain  Karey  and  until 
he  had  the  misfortune  to  see  you  on  the  stage  she  was 
perfectly  happy.  From  that  day  however,  all  her  misery 
dated.  He  was  infatuated  about  you  and  you  lured  him 
on  to  his  death. 

"  Madam,"  said  Christine  pale  with  indignation,  "  you 
do  me  a  very  great  wrong.  I  never  encouraged  Captain 
Karey.  On  the  contrary  his  persistent  attentions  annoyed 
me  very  much." 

"  Oh,  so  you  say!  so  they  all  say!  "  said  Mrs.  Bouvery 
choking  back  a  sob.  "  But  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it. 
You  actresses  are  all  alike;  as  long  as  your  vanity  is  satis- 
fied you  don't  care  what  wretchedness  you  cause  to 
others." 

"  Is  it  possible  you  really  believe  that  I  encouraged  a 
mere  boy  who  must  have  been  at  least  fifteen  years  my 
junior?  "  said  Christine  incredulously.  "  The  moment 
I  saw  there  was  the  least  risk  of  anything  serious,  I  would 
have  nothing  more  to  do  with  him.  Every  one  of  the  pres- 
ents he  tried  to  give  me  were  returned  immediately.  What 
more  could  I  do?  " 

"  You  could  retire  from  a  profession  which  is  unfit  for 
any  woman,  you  could  refuse  any  longer  to  make  your 
beauty  a  snare  and  a  peril  to  men." 

"  I  think,"  said  Christine  quietly,  but  with  a  ring  of 
indignation  in  her  voice,  "  you  forget  that  some  of  the 
very  best  of  w^omen  have  been  on  the  stage.  Is  art  to  be 
crippled,  and  are  we  all  to  retire  to  nunneries,  because 
some  men  are  weak  fools  and  some  men  vicious  knaves?  " 


4i8  WAYFARING  MEN 

"I  do  not  care  to  argue  with  you,"  said  her  visitor 
coldly.  "  The  fact  remains  that  you  have  spoilt  my  daugh- 
ter's whole  life." 

"  Indeed  I  am  very  sorry  for  her,"  said  Christine  with 
a  sigh.  "  I  can't  blame  myself  for  what  has  happened, 
but  I  can  feel  very  much  grieved  about  it." 

"  Whether  you  blame  yourself  or  not,"  said  Mrs.  Bou- 
very,  "  Captain  Karey's  death  will  be  laid  to  your  account 
at  the  last  day." 

"  His  death?"  cried  Christine  with  dilated  eyes.  "What 
do  you  mean?    I  had  heard  nothing." 

"  Oh  you  had  not  seen  it  in  the  papers?  Yes,  he  died 
three  days  ago  from  an  over-dose  of  chloral — it  was 
brought  in  as  '  death  by  misadventure.'  I  do  not  envy 
you  your  feelings  at  this  moment.  It  was  a  sad  day  for 
him  when  he  first  saw  you,  for  him  and  for  my  poor 
daughter." 

Christine  did  not  speak  a  word.  She  was  horror-struck 
by  the  news  so  abruptly  told  her;  it  was  no  time  to  assert 
her  own  blamelessness,  nay  she  could  pardon  the  poor 
grief-stricken  woman  for  reproaching  her  so  bitterly,  for 
insulting  her  by  such  cruel,  false  imputations.  The  ad- 
mir  r  whose  love  letters  had  so  greatly  annoyed  her,  whose 
infatuation  had  for  some  time  past  been  difficult  to  baffle, 
had  been  driven  out  of  his  senses  by  his  unhappy  and  over- 
mastering passion,  and  had  died  leaving  the  girl  who  had 
loved  him  to  her  desolate  sorrow. 

Had  Mrs.  Bouvery  been  less  hard  and  bitter,  Christine 
could  have  opened  her  heart  to  her,  and  made  her  under- 
stand how  distorted  a  view  of  the  case  she  had  taken;  as  it 
was  they  parted  almost  in  silence  and  she  could  only  re- 
solve to  find  out  a  little  more  about  the  daughter  and  if 
possible  to  write  to  her  later  on. 

But  for  many  days  after  that  the  story  haunted  her  and 
made  her  miserable.  Afterwards  too,  in  her  depression, 
the  thought  of  Mrs.  Bouvery's  cruel  words  returned  to  her. 


WAYFARING  MEN  4>9 


(( 


Had  I  not  been  a  solitary  woman  she  would  never 
have  dared  to  attack  me  like  that,"  she  reflected  with  tears 
in  her  eyes.  "  A  woman  without  a  protector  is  at  the 
mercy  of  anyone  who  chooses  to  torment  her.  Were  I  not 
worse  than  widowed,  Lord  Kosscourt  and  men  of  his  type 
would  be  unable  to  persecute  me  with  attentions  that  are 
insults.  They  would  not  dare  to  send  me  letters  which 
one  can  hardly  glance  at  without  feeling  defiled." 

It  happened  that  among  her  best  and  most  trusted 
friends  was  a  certain  literary  man  named  Conway  Sartoris. 
She  had  known  him  and  the  sensible  middle-aged  sister 
who  kept  house  for  him  for  the  last  ten  years,  and  they 
had  been  the  first  to  discern  how  very  miserable  was  her 
married  life.  During  the  difficult  years  that  followed  her 
separation  their  entirely  unaltered  friendship  had  been 
a  great  comfort  to  her.  Conway  Sartoris  was  not  only  a 
brilliant  writer  and  an  advanced  thinker,  but  a  most  de- 
lightful companion,  full  of  dry  humour,  and  shrewd  com- 
mon sense;  while  his  sister  had  a  genuine  aifection  for 
Christine  and  always  gave  her  a  warm  welcome  at  their 
pretty  old-fashioned  house  in  Westminster.  She  was 
dining  with  them  on  the  following  Sunday  and  found  it 
a  great  relief  to  tell  them  of  the  tragedy  with  which  so 
unwittingly  she  had  become  connected,  and  of  Mrs.  Bou- 
very's  interview. 

Alas!  in  seeking  comfort  she  only  met  with  fresh 
trouble.  For  the  next  evening  on  her  return  from  the 
theatre  she  found  a  long  letter  from  Conway  Sartoris  in 
which  he  frankly  admitted  that  his  friendship  had  some 
time  ago  deepened  into  love,  that  he  was  sure  her  life 
would  always  be  difficult  and  perilous  without  a  protector, 
and  that  he  would  do  his  utmost  to  make  her  happy.  In 
blank  dismay  Christine  read  his  proposal  that  they  should 
enter  into  a  union  which  would  virtually  be  a  marriage; 
he  quoted  instances  in  which  such  unions  had  been  after 
a  time  condoned  by  society  and  had  proved  eminently 


420 


WAVrARINC  MEN 


happy,  and  he  argued  very  phiusihly  that  the  best  way  to 
bring  about  a  speedy  reform  of  the  present  unjust  law 
under  which  she  suffered  was  to  add  another  instance  to 
the  cases  in  which  it  had  been  deliberately  and  con- 
scientiously broken. 

His  pleading,  as  far  as  he  himself  was  concerned,  proved 
of  course  quite  useless.  Christine  could  only  write  in 
reply  that  her  friendship  and  respect  for  him  must  always 
remain  unaltered,  but  that  her  heart  was  still  with  the 
lover  of  her  youth — the  man  who  through  her  own  weak- 
ness and  ambition  had  been  so  cruelly  sacrificed  years  ago. 

To  this  she  received  a  very  straightforward  and  Idndly 
answer,  and  Conway  Sartoris  entreated  her  not  to  allow 
what  had  passed  in  any  way  to  affect  their  friendship. 
But  this  was  more  easily  said  than  done.  His  avowal  had 
put  an  end  to  the  perfect  ease  and  rest  of  their  intercourse 
and  she  felt  more  than  ever  alone  in  the  world. 

Another  result  of  this  episode  was  that  his  arguments 
were  constantly  recurring  to  her  mind.  Surely  there  was 
great  force  in  the  suggestion  he  had  brought  forward  in 
his  masterly  clear-headed  way?  Were  there  not  bound  to 
be  exceptions  to  every  rule?  Was  not  Hugh  Macneillie's 
notion  of  obedience  even  to  an  unjust  law,  because  it  w^as 
tlie  law  of  the  land,  an  overstrained  nicety?  It  might  be 
a  counsel  of  perfection,  but  surely  it  could  not  be  the 
actual  duty  of  each  citizen?  Hugh  had  such  an  element 
of  austerity  about  his  life;  kind  and  genial  and  tolerant 
as  he  was  with  regard  to  others  his  own  notions  of  right 
and  wrong  were  so  rigid.  He  was  certainly  old-fashioned, 
not  up  to  date,  not  able  to  accommodate  himself  to  fin  de 
Steele  conditions. 

"  I  will  not  let  him  wreck  his  life!  "  she  thought,  pacing 
witli  agitated  steps  up  and  down  her  room.  "  ]\Iy  heart 
is  breaking  for  want  of  him,  and  he  is  ill  and  alone.  What 
do  I  care  for  the  tongues  of  narrow-minded,  conventional 
people  who  know  nothing  of  our  real  story?    '  Let  them 


WAYFARING  MEN  421 

rave! '  lie  is  miue  and  I  am  his.  All  the  unfair  unequal 
laws  in  the  world  can't  alter  that." 

Just  then  she  happened  to  notice  a  letter  upon  the 
mantel-piece  which  by  some  oversight  she  had  left  un- 
opened. 

"  What  is  this?  "  she  exclaimed  glancing  through  it. 
"  An  invitation  from  Mrs.  Hereford  to  lunch  on  Sunday, 
to  meet  Ralph  Denmead  and  his  wife?  Yes,  I  will  go, 
from  them  I  may  at  any  rate  learn  how  Hugh  is." 

Her  stay  at  ^lonkton  Verney  had  led  to  her  becoming  a 
friend  of  the  Hercfords;  she  had  an  unbounded  respect 
for  them  both,  and  at  their  house  in  Grosvenor  Square  she 
invariably  enjoyed  herself.  Charlie  too,  liked  nothing 
better  than  to  go  there  with  her,  and  there  was  something 
in  the  atmosphere  of  the  household  which  was  curiously 
refreshing  and  invigorating.  They  were  busy  people  but 
they  never  bored  others  with  their  work,  and  always 
seemed  to  have  time  for  merriment,  and  for  keen  appre- 
ciation of  the  interests  of  their  friends. 

On  this  Sunday  however  she  was  more  taken  up  with 
the  Denmeads  than  with  her  host  and  hostess.  There 
was  something  in  the  mere  happiness  of  the  young  hus- 
band and  wife  that  appealed  to  her,  and  she  had  a  long 
talk  with  them  and  heard  all  that  she  craved  to  know. 
Macneillie,  they  judged  by  his  letters,  was  still  far  from 
well,  and  even  the  visit  to  his  own  countrv  had  failed  to 
do  him  much  good.  He  was  to  go  on  the  following  day 
to  Stratford  and  for  the  sake  of  quiet  would  stay  just  out- 
side the  town  at  a  curious  old-fashioned  house  called  The 
Swan's  Nest.  He  would  remain  there  probably  until  the 
Birthday  week  when  they  were  to  rejoin  him  for  the  per- 
formances at  the  Memorial  Theatre. 

Then  Evcreld  had  much  to  say  about  the  Manager's 
kindness  to  them,  of  Dick's  devotion  to  him,  and  all  the 
many  little  details  which  her  womanly  instinct  taught  her 
would  be  to  Christine  what  bread  is  to  the  starving.    It 


422  WAYFARING  MEN 

was  all  told  naturally  and  simply  and  as  a  matter  of  course, 
there  was  never  any  uncomfortable  consciousness  that 
they  knew  all  about  her  past  and  could  guess  how  bitter 
was  her  present.  It  was  only  when  thinking  it  over  after- 
wards that  Christine  felt  sure  that  the  Denmeads  knew 
the  whole  truth,  and  she  loved  them  for  their  tact  and 
consideration. 

But  all  through  the  night  that  followed  she  was  haunt- 
ed by  the  thought  of  Hugh  Macneilhe  ill  and  alone,  un- 
able even  to  find  comfort  in  his  mother's  society, — beyond 
the  cure  even  of  his  native  land. 

It  is  during  wakeful  nights  that  burdens  usually  grow 
unbearable.  And  Christine  had  now  reached  the  point 
when  every  consideration  but  the  one  prevailing  idea  is 
crowded  out  of  the  mind. 

"  I  cannot  let  him  suffer  any  more,"  she  thought.  "  At 
all  costs  tliis  intolerable  state  of  things  must  and  shall  be 
ended.  I  am  free  all  this  week,  free  till  Easter  Monday. 
To-morrow  I  will  go  down  to  Leamington  with  Charlie 
and  the  servants,  and  the  next  day  I  will  see  him." 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

"  Greatly  to  do  is  great,  but  greater  still 
Greatly  to  suffer." 

J.  Noel  Paton. 

The  following  Tuesday  proved  to  be  as  fine  a  day  as 
Christine  could  have  wished.  Charlie  was  delighted  to 
fall  in  with  her  suggestion  of  driving  from  Leamington 
to  Warwick,  and  she  left  him  with  Linklater  and  his  be- 
loved camera  to  spend  a  long  afternoon  in  seeing  the  cas- 
tle, the  church  and  the  many  picturesque  places  to  be 
found  in  the  old  town. 

"  I  have  to  pay  a  call  in  the  neighbourhood,"  she  ex- 
plained, "  and  will  meet  you  here  at  six  o'clock.  See  that 
he  has  plenty  to  eat,  Linklater,  for  we  made  a  very  early 
lunch." 

When  they  were  safely  within  the  castle  gates  she  or- 
dered a  Victoria  at  the  hotel  and  drove  in  to  Stratford. 
Up  to  that  very  moment  she  had  felt  eager  and  alert,  ready 
to  dare  anything  in  her  desperation.  But  now  when  there 
was  no  longer  anything  to  do,  she  lay  back  in  the  carriage 
feeling  utterly  spent,  unable  to  find  the  least  comfort  in 
the  soft  spring  air,  or  in  the  beautiful  expanse  of  country, 
or  in  the  hedge-rows  just  bursting  into  leaf,  or  in  the 
joyous  song  of  the  birds.  It  was  not  until  they  were  close 
to  Shakspere's  town  that  her  spirit  returned  to  her  once 
more,  and  as  they  passed  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church  she 
sat  up  and  called  to  her  driver. 

"  I  will  get  out  here,"  she  said  adjusting  her  white  gos- 
samer travelling  veil.  "  You  can  drive  on  and  put  up  at 
the  Shakspere  Hotel  until  I  come  there." 

The  man  obeyed  and  she  walked  on  until  upon  the  left 


424  WAYFARING  MEN 

she  saw  Clopton's  Bridge,  at  the  further  side  of  which  she 
knew  the  Swan's  Nest  was  situated.  As  usual  she  was 
dressed  with  scrupulous  quietness,  there  was  nothing  in 
her  black  serge  coat  and  skirt  and  sailor  hat  to  distinguish 
her  from  hundreds  of  other  women,  and  no  passer-by 
would  have  recognised  her  through  her  veil. 

Nevertheless  her  heart  failed  her  somewhat  when  the 
little  old-fashioned  inn  with  its  red  brick  walls  and  tiled 
roof  came  into  sight.  She  fully  realised  that  she  was  tak- 
ing a  desperate  step. 

But  then  did  not  desperate  diseases  require  desperate 
remedies?  And  had  not  Hugh  Macneillie  in  the  letter 
he  wrote  her  three  and  a  half  years  ago  entreated  her  to 
let  him  serve  her  if  ever  she  found  herself  in  a  difficulty? 

No  one  else  could  help  her  now.  He  only  could  shield 
her  and  make  her  life  worth  living.  And  was  not  he  ill 
and  in  need  of  her?  Was  she  not  fully  justified  in  seeking 
him?  She  had  paused  involuntarily  on  the  bridge  lost  in 
thought  and  now  just  for  a  moment  the  exceeding  beauty 
of  the  view  drew  her  attention  away  from  her  perplexities. 

The  silvery  Avon,  crossed  a  little  further  down  by  an 
old  bridge  of  red  brick,  the  irregular  buildings  of  the  little 
town,  the  finely  proportioned  Memorial  theatre  standing 
in  its  gardens  upon  the  river's  brink;  facing  it  a  lovely 
pastoral  bit  of  green  meadows,  and  budding  trees,  and  in 
the  distance  the  old  church  spire  with  rooks  circling 
about  it. 

In  the  opposite  direction  lay  peaceful  fields,  and  all 
along  the  bank  pollard  willows  overhung  the  stream  which 
curved  round  in  a  way  that  delighted  her  eye.  Just  at  the 
bend  of  the  river,  moored  to  a  willow  tree,  a  small  golden- 
brown  boat  was  to  be  seen.  It  was  empty  but  on  the  bank 
above  it  lay  the  figure  of  a  man  with  his  head  propped 
on  his  arm  and  a  book  in  his  hand.  She  could  not  distin- 
guish his  features  at  that  distance  but  from  something  in 
hi.s  attitude  she  at  once  knew  that  it  was  Hugh  Macneillie. 


WAYFARING  MEN  4^5 

Moreover  she  could  see  a  corner  of  the  plaid  which  he  had 
invariably  taken  about  with  him,  the  dark  blue  and  green 
of  the  Macneil  tartan  with  its  thin  alternate  cross  lines 
of  white  and  yellow.  It  was  the  very  same  one  that  in 
old  days  had  often  been  spread  over  her  knees  on  some 
cold  wintry  railway  journey. 

Somehow  the  sight  of  this  restored  her  failing  heart; 
she  swiftly  made  her  way  down  to  the  river-side  and  youth 
and  hope  seemed  to  come  back  to  her  as  her  feet  touched 
the  springy  turf  and  passed  lightly  over  the  white  and  gold 
of  the  daisies. 

Macneillie,  just  glancing  up  from  his  book,  saw  a  lady 
approaching  clad  in  the  costume  which  is  almost  a  uni- 
form; he  devoutly  hoped,  after  the  fashion  of  celebrities 
on  a  holiday,  that  she  would  not  recognise  him. 

Christine  could  so  well  read  his  thoughts  and  under- 
stand his  slightest  gesture  that  she  could  hardly  help 
laughing.  She  put  up  her  veil  and  walked  straight  to- 
wards him,  her  brown  eyes  full  of  that  soft  love-light 
which  for  years  he  had  not  seen  in  them.  As  she  paused 
close  to  him  he  involuntarily  looked  up  once  more,  and 
with  a  cry  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"Christine!  "  he  exclaimed  taking  both  her  hands  in 
his.    "  Is  it  indeed  you!  " 

Just  for  one  exquisite  moment  he  forgot  everything, 
was  only  conscious  that  she  was  beside  him,  and  that  they 
loved  each  other,  with  a  love  which  surpassed  even  the 
first  bhss  of  the  early  days  of  their  betrothal.  The  next 
moment,  with  a  horrible  revulsion,  he  remembered  the 
barrier  that  lay  between  them.  Neither  of  them  spoke;  in 
the  stillness  they  were  each  conscious  of  the  clear  birdlike 
whistle  of  an  errand  boy  crossing  the  bridge.  He  had 
caught  up  one  of  the  prettiest  airs  in  "  Haddon  Hall  " — 
"  To  thine  own  heart  be  true  "! 

"  Hugh,"  she  said  softly,  "  you  told  me  if  ever  a  time 
came  when  there  was  no  one  else  who  could  help  me  more 


426  WAYFARING  MEN 

fitly  that  I  was  to  come  to  you.  I  am  driven  almost  des- 
perate and  I  have  come  to  claim  your  promise.  Where 
can  we  talk  quietly?  " 

"  If  you  will  not  find  it  too  cold  I  could  row  you  up  the 
river  towards  Charlcote,"  he  said.  "  Later  in  the  week 
Stratford  will  be  full  of  excursionists,  but  there  is  no  one 
on  the  river  this  afternoon,  we  shall  be  quite  unmolested." 

She  thought  this  an  excellent  plan  and  let  him  help  her 
into  the  boat  and  spread  the  plaid  over  her  knees. 

"  It  was  by  this  dear  old  tartan  that  I  recognised  you, 
at  least  chiefly  by  that,"  she  said. 

"  Like  its  owner  it  has  seen  its  best  days,"  said  Mae- 
neillie  with  a  smile.  "  But  I  have  the  same  feeling  for  it 
that  the  fellow  in  Gounod's  song  had  for  his  old  coat, 

'  Jfon  vjel  ami 
Ne  nous  s^parons  pas.'  " 

And  he  sighed  a  little  as  he  remembered  how  in  the  da3'3 
of  their  betrothal  he  had  often  taken  her  under  his 
"  plaidie." 

A  strange,  dreamy,  unreal  feeling  crept  over  Christine 
as  she  leant  back  in  the  stern,  while  Macneillie  with  his 
strong  arms  rowed  her  up  the  winding  river.  She  almost 
wished  his  strokes  had  not  been  so  long  and  steady,  for  it 
seemed  to  her  as  if  this  heaven  of  peace  and  repose  would 
end  too  swiftly.    At  last  he  paused. 

"  We  couldn't  well  find  a  more  lovely  place  than  this," 
he  said  glancing  over  his  shoulder  and  dexterously  guid- 
ing the  boat  in  between  the  grassy  bank  and  the  branches 
of  an  overhanging  willow  tree. 

"  I  never  saw  such  a  wonderful  colour  as  these  now 
spring  shoots  of  the  willow,"  said  Christine,  as  he  drew 
in  his  oars  and  sat  down  beside  her  in  the  stern. 

Not  a  breath  of  wind  stirred  the  leaves,  the  flies  came 
out  and  made  a  cheerful  droning  sound  as  though  summer 


IV  AY  FARING  MEN  427 

had  already  come,  a  lark  was  singing  far  up  in  the  blue 
vault  above,  and  everywhere  the  quiet  of  perfect  peace 
seemed  to  brood. 

Macneillie  felt  that  longer  silence  was  perilous,  he  had 
learned  to  allow  himself  scant  leisure  when  temptation 
was  rife. 

"  Tell  me  now  what  your  trouble  is,"  he  said  quietly. 

"  Oh! "  she  cried  vehemently,  "it  seems  like  sacrilege 
even  to  speak  of  it  in  such  a  place  as  this  where  all  is  so 
peaceful." 

Macneillie,  who  was  very  far  from  being  at  peace, 
smiled  a  little  involuntarily. 

"  The  place  is  well  enough,"  he  said  glancing  round. 
"  But  now  that  we  are  actually  among  the  *  pendent 
boughs '  it  reminds  me  rather  too  much  of 

'  There  is  a  willow  grows  aslant  a  brook.' 

It  might  be  the  identical  spot  where  Ophelia  was 
drowned." 

"  I  wonder  if  it  is,"  she  said  diverted  for  a  minute  from 
her  own  anxieties.  "Poor  Ophelia!  Somehow  I  have 
never  eared  for  acting  that  part  of  late  years.  You  spoiled 
me  for  all  other  Hamlets.  I  have  often  wondered  since, 
Hugh,  how  you  contrived  to  get  through  that  last  season 
in  London." 

"  Well  it  was  a  rough  time,"  said  Macneillie,  "  for,  like 
the  Danish  Prince, 

"In  my  heart  there  was  a  kind  of  fighting 
That  would  not  let  me  sleep.' 

By  the  end  of  the  season  I  was  as  nearly  mad  as  Hamlet 
feigned  to  be.  But  no  more  of  that.  It  is  of  the  present 
we  must  talk  not  of  the  past.  How  can  I  help  you?  Has 
anyone  been  molesting  you?  " 


4^3  WAYFARING  MEN 

"  Yes,"  she  faltered.  "  I  will  tell  you  all,  and  then  yon 
will  understand." 

So  in  her  musical  voice,  and  with  that  extraordinary 
charm  of  manner  which  made  her  irresistible,  she  told 
him  simply  and  truthfully  all  the  difhculties  she  had  had 
to  contend  with.  Lastly  she  told  him  of  Conway  Sartoris 
and  of  the  arguments  he  had  used  in  his  letter. 

"  They  seem  to  me  quite  unanswerable,"  she  said,  "  and 
he  is  a  man  everyone  respects,  he  is  far  more  intellectual 
than  we  are,  and  he  doesn't  merely  theorise,  he  knows  the 
difficulties  of  real  life.  The  more  I  think  of  it,  the  more 
it  seems  to  me  that  you  and  I  are  wrecking  our  lives  and 
suffering  so  cruelly  all  for  a  mistaken  idea, — a  sort  of 
fetish-worship  for  the  law  of  the  land." 

Macneillie  had  grown  very  pale,  his  hands  trembled, 
but  from  long  force  of  habit  his  voice  was  well  under  con- 
trol. 

"  Sin  is  lawlessness,"  he  quoted  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  she  said  quickly.  "  But  this  law  that  parts 
us,  that  makes  our  lives  a  hell — you  say  it  is  an  unjust 
law  and  ought  to  be  reformed.  You  said  that  in  your 
letter." 

"  I  long  for  its  reform  with  all  my  heart,"  he  replied. 
"  And  the  greatest  of  living  statesmen  and  the  most  de- 
voted of  English  Churchmen  did  his  utmost  in  1857  to 
prevent  this  wicked  double  standard  of  morality  from 
ever  finding  a  place  in  the  Divorce  Law.  He  said  he 
■would  deliberately  prefer  an  increase  in  the  number  of 
cases  of  divorce  to  the  acceptance  of  this  shameful  ine- 
quality between  men  and  women." 

"  And  are  we  patiently  and  tamely  to  go  on  enduring 
it?  "  she  cried.  "  Why,  surely,  all  reforms  have  been  won 
by  those  who  were  not  afraid  to  break  the  bad  laws  that 
had  no  business  to  exist.  Think  of  your  Covenanters 
who  gloriously  broke  the  law  and  saved  their  country 
from  tyranny!  Almost  all  heroes  and  martyrs  have  brok- 
en the  law  when  it  deserved  to  be  broken." 


WAYFARING  MEN  42y 

"  Yes,  that  is  true,"  he  said.  "  But  they  only  broke 
it  out  of  obedience  to  a  higher  law,  they  did  not  break- 
it  for  their  own  gain.  My  dearest,"  he  took  her  hand  and 
held  it  closely  in  his,  "  though  this  law  cries  aloud  for 
reform,  let  us  be  law-abiding  citizens,  and  wait." 

Her  eyes  filled  with  tears,  her  voice  quivered  pitifully 
when  after  awhile  she  spoke. 

"  You  talk  of  waiting,  but  when  one  sees  how  truth  and 
justice  are  set  at  naught  in  parliament, — how  with  people 
agonising  and  dying,  and  with  so  much  that  is  wrong  to 
be  righted  our  representatives  will  haggle  miserably  for 
months  and  years  over  useless  questions,  how  from  sheer 
spite  they  will  waste  the  time  of  the  nation,  how  from 
party  jealousy  they  will  thwart  measures, —  the  thought  of 
waiting  grows  intolerable." 

"  But  reform  is  bound  to  come,"  said  Macneillie,  "  most 
of  the  fair  minded  people  who  have  studied  the  matter 
and  who  know  anything  of  practical  life  desire  it,  we  have 
against  us  only  the  narrow  minded  and  the  men  of  vicious 
life." 

"You  say  only!"  exclaimed  Christine  with  a  laugh 
that  was  a  sob.  "  But  it  is  just  the  narrow  good  and 
the  vicious  bad  who  work  all  the  misery  of  the  world. 
Oh,  Hugh!  I  am  not  strong  and  brave  like  you,  I  am  weak 
and  tired  and  worn  out.  I  cannot  live  longer  without 
you.  1  have  tried  to  bear  it  but  I  have  come  to  the  end 
of  my  strength." 

She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands,  he  could  see  great 
tears  slowly  falling  between  her  slender  white  fingers, 
and  the  sight  wrung  his  heart.  Yet  he  did  not  respond 
to  her  appeal.  It  was  not  because  he  failed  to  understand 
that  bitter  cry  of  exhaustion,  it  was  because  he  understood 
it  so  well,  had  been  indeed  for  the  last  few  weeks  so  drear- 
ily conscious  of  just  that  same  feeling  that  he  could  en- 
dure no  longer,  that  his  strength  was  gone.  It  was  well 
that  Christine  could  not  see  his  face,  for  the  agonising 


430  WAYFARING  MEN 

struggle  which  was  going  on  within  him  was  only  too 
clearly  visible.  In  the  intense  stillness  of  the  calm  sunny 
afternoon  it  seemed  to  him  that  all  nature  was  at  rest  save 
themselves,  and  as  in  moments  of  great  phj'sical  pain 
some  very  slight  detail -will  attract  the  sufferer's  attention, 
so  now,  while  he  passed  through  the  most  cruel  ordeal  of 
his  life,  Macneillie  was  watching  half  unconsciously  the 
pretty  movements  of  a  little  water-rat  which  had  run  up 
the  stem  of  a  bush  growing  close  to  the  river,  and  was  evi- 
dently enjoying  itself  to  the  best  of  its  ability.  The 
birds,  too,  were  singing  as  though  in  a  perfect  ecstasy  of 

joy- 

Their  song  contrasted  mockingly  with  the  torturing 
thoughts  which  filled  his  mind,  and  yet  nevertheless  it 
was  through  the  joyousness  of  these  lesser  creatures  that 
his  help  was  to  come.  For  it  carried  him  back  to  the 
thought  of  a  great  Teacher  who,  when  speaking  to  "  an  in- 
numerable multitude  of  people,"  average  men  and  women, 
tempest-tossed  as  he  was  now,  had  told  them  that  not  one 
single  bird  was  forgotten  by  God,  and  had  said,  "  Fear 
not,  ye  are  of  more  value  than  many  sparrows." 

With  that  highest  courage  which  in  times  of  dire  dis- 
may can  rise  from  what  seems  like  certain  defeat,  and 
kindle  hope  and  strength  in  the  hearts  of  others,  and  win 
in  a  desperate  fight,  Macneillie  gripped  the  words  to  his 
heart  and  was  strong  once  more,  with  that  trust  in  God 
which  is  man's  righteousness. 

"  I  know  exactly  what  you  mean,"  he  said,  as  Christine 
at  length  looked  up  and  dried  her  tears.  "  Many  a  time 
I  have  felt  at  the  end  of  my  strength.  It's  Just  a  device 
of  the  devil's  own  making.  Depend  upon  it,  God  won't 
take  away  His  gift  just  when  it  is  most  needed.  Is  it 
likely  He  would  do  that?" 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  the  devil  rules,"  said  Christine. 
"  I  can  believe  in  little  but  evil  in  the  wretched  life  I  have 
had  to  live.  Here,  with  you,  it  is  different,  I  seem  an- 
other being  altogether.    You  can  make  me  good." 


WAYFARING  MEN  431 

There  was  truth  in  what  she  said.  He  had  always  had 
over  her  the  best  possible  influence.  Without  each  other 
they  were  incomplete. 

"  And  yet,"  he  said,  "  it  is  just  because  I  so  love  and 
honour  you  that  the  arguments  of  Conway  Sartoris  which 
you  mentioned  just  now,  clever  and  plausible  though  they 
are,  seem  contemptible.  Shall  I  let  the  one  I  love  best 
in  all  the  world  bear  shame  and  reproach  ?  Shall  you  and 
I  who  have  tried  all  these  years  to  be  a  credit  to  the  pro- 
fession give  such  a  handle  to  its  enemies?  Shall  we  dare 
to  bring  down  upon  innocent  children  the  curse  of  ille- 
gitimacy? And  all  because  we  were  too  weakly  impatient 
to  wait — or  too  cowardly  to  suffer?  Forgive  me,  my  dear 
one,  I  put  these  things  in  a  blunt  way,  but  are  they  not 
things  we  must  think  out  clearly  if  we  would  come  safely 
through  this  ordeal?" 

She  looked  up  in  his  face,  it  was  singularly  beautiful 
just  at  the  minute,  in  spite  of  the  havoc  which  time  and 
suffering  had  wrought  in  it.  She  fancied  that  he  would 
wear  that  look  of  manly  courage,  of  noble  strength  in  his 
resurrection  body.  The  thought  seemed  to  give  her  new 
life.  Quietly,  indeed  with  a  calmness  which  surprised  her- 
self, she  slipped  her  hand  into  his;  it  was  done  spontane- 
ously as  a  child  slips  its  hand  into  that  of  a  trusted  com- 
panion. 

"  You  are  right,  Hugh,  quite  right,"  she  said.  "  "Wo 
vnW  wait.  You  must  forgive  me  for  having  come  here 
to-day." 

"  You  were  only  keeping  your  promise,"  he  said,  "  and 
perhaps  to  talk  things  out  was  best  for  both  of  us." 

He  was  silent  for  a  few  minutes,  wondering  what  could 
be  done  to  render  her  life  a  little  more  bearable.  "What 
was  it  that  had  been  his  own  greatest  relief  during  the  last 
few  years?  Well,  undoubtedly,  it  had  been  the  compan- 
ionship of  Ralph  and  his  wife  and  little  Dick.  They  were 
a  very  fascinating  trio  and  carried  about  with  them  an 


432  WAYFARING  MEN 

atmosphere  of  youth  and  brightness  which  was  pleasant 
enough  to  middle-aged  folk  sorely  burdened  with  care  and 
trouble.  A  sudden  idea  flashed  into  his  mind.  Many 
people  are  ready  to  assert  that  they  would  lay  down  their 
lives  for  those  they  love.  Macneilhe  seldom  protested  in 
words  but  had  a  way  of  quietly  giving  up  his  most  trea- 
sured possessions,  so  quietly,  indeed,  that  most  people 
hardly  noticed  that  he  did  it  at  all. 

"  And  now,"  he  said,  "  I  am  going  to  ask  you  to  do 
something  for  me.  Do  you  recollect  a  young  fellow  who 
was  acting  with  you  at  Edinburgh  four  summers  ago — 
Ealph  Denmead  by  name?" 

"  Why  yes,  to  be  sure.  I  met  him  only  last  Sunday  at 
the  Herefords.  What  a  nice  fellow  he  seems,  and  I  lost 
my  heart  to  his  dear  little  wife." 

"  I  am  glad  you  saw  them  both,  they  are  a  delightful 
couple.  Well  now,  could  you  possibly  get  him  a  London 
engagement?  Would  Barry  Sterne  have  any  opening  for 
him?  It  seems  to  me  that  there  is  a  very  good  chance 
just  now  for  a  young  romantic  actor.  We  have  no  really 
satisfactory  Eomeo  or  Orhmdo." 

"But  surely  you  are  in  no  hurry  to  part  with  him? 
I  hear  he  is  very  popular  everywhere." 

"  For  myself  I  am  in  no  hurry,"  said  ^lacneillie.  "  But 
I  should  be  glad  for  him  to  get  a  London  engagement. 
lie  deserves  it,  and  then  this  wandering  life  is  a  little  hard 
on  his  wife  and  child.  They  had  better  settle  down,  and 
if  they  were  somewhere  in  your  neighbourhood  you  would 
perhaps  befriend  them.  Evereld  is  a  dear  little  woman, 
you  would  like  her,  and  she  has  the  greatest  admiration 
for  you." 

Christine's  face  brightened  up,  it  pleased  her  greatly 
that  he  should  have  asked  her  to  do  something  for  him; 
she  resolved  to  leave  no  stone  unturned  and  to  do  her  ut- 
most for  his  friends. 

"  I  should  like  to  have  them  near  me;  you  can't  think 


WAYFARING  MEN  433 

how  lonely  it  is  often,"  she  said.  "If  it  were  not  for  my 
work  and  for  Charlie's  companionship  I  don't  think  I 
could  have  endured  it  all  this  time.  The  best  plan  would 
be  for  13arry  Sterne  to  see  him  act.  I  wonder  whether 
there  would  be  a  chance  of  getting  him  to  run  down  for 
one  of  the  performances  in  the  Memorial  Week?  " 

"  That  is  a  good  idea,"  said  Macneilhe.  "  By  the  bye, 
Sterne  will  scarcely  remember  it,  but  the  boy  did  go  to 
him  some  years  ago  when  he  first  made  up  his  mind  to 
be  an  actor.  I  have  often  heard  him  describe  the  inter- 
view. He  got  cold  comfort  from  Sterne  and  a  most  dis- 
couraging letter  from  me.  But  nothing  daunts  your  real 
genius.  He  plodded  on,  and  starved  and  struggled  till 
things  took  a  turn.  And  some  day  if  I  am  not  much  mis- 
taken he  will  be  one  of  our  leading  actors." 

"  His  own  opinion  is  that  he  owes  everything  to  you," 
said  Christine  with  a  smile.  "  I  heard  a  great  deal  about 
you  on  Sunday  from  both  of  them.  I  shall  be  so  glad 
if  I  can  really  do  anything  for  people  you  care  for,  Hugh. 
The  Denmeads  will  be  quite  a  new  object  in  life  for  me." 

Those  words  and  the  look  which  went  with  them  were 
Macneillie's  comfort  when,  shortly  after,  he  parted  with 
Christine.  But  to  stay  longer  at  Stratford  with  nothing 
to  do  had  become  impossible  for  him.  The  river  was  a 
haunted  place,  he  dared  not  go  on  it  again,  everything 
which  on  his  arrival  had  seemed  so  peaceful  bore  upon 
it  now  the  ineffaceable  stamp  of  the  bitter  struggle  he  had 
passed  through. 

To  go  back  to  his  work  was  directly  against  the  doctor's 
orders,  but  go  somewhere  he  must.  He  packed  his  port- 
manteau, and  tried  to  think  of  any  place  in  the  world 
he  wished  to  see,  but  could  not  care  even  to  return  to  his 
own  country.  All  things  were  "  weary,  stale,  flat  and  un- 
profitable." 

"  Fate  shall  decide,"  he  said  to  himself  with  the  gho.=t 
of  a  smile  playing  about  his  lips.    And  dragging  out  an 


434  IV  AY  FARING  MEN 

ancient  atlas  from  the  pile  of  books  on  the  sitting-room 
table,  he  opened  at  the  map  of  Europe  and  solemnly  spun 
a  threepenny  bit.  After  threatening  to  come  to  an  end 
in  the  middle  of  the  German  Ocean  it  finally  settled  down 
in  Holland. 

"  Via  Harwich  and  the  Hook,"  said  Macneillie  pocket- 
ing the  arbiter  of  his  fate.  "  So  be  it.  I  will  run  across 
and  see  if  the  bulbs  are  coming  into  bloom." 


CHAPTER  XL 

"  Be  noble  !    and  the  nobleness  that  lies 
In  other  men,  sleeping,  but  never  dead 
Will  rise  in  inajestj'^  to  meet  thine  own  ; 
Then  wilt  thou  see  it  gleam  in  many  eyes, 
Then  will  pure  light  around  thy  path  be  shed, 
And  thou  wilt  never  more  be  sad  and  lone." — Lowell. 

The  entire  change  of  scene,  the  vigour  of  his  own 
mind,  and  the  sturdy  resolution  with  which  he  laid  aside 
care  and  anxiety  soon  restored  Macneillie  to  a  great  ex- 
tent. He  recovered  his  power  of  sleeping,  and  returned 
to  Stratford  to  find  llalph  and  Evereld  already  settled 
there  and  awaiting  him  with  a  warmth  of  welcome  which 
did  his  heart  good.  To  hear  him  telling  comical  stories 
of  his  adventures  among  the  Dutch  as  they  lingered  over 
the  supper  table  that  first  evening,  no  one  would  have 
believed  that  he  had  passed  through  any  ordeal  whatever, 
and  he  seemed  quite  ready  for  all  the  hard  work  that  lay 
before  him. 

Indeed  Ivy  Grant  thought  him  unnecessarily  vigorous. 

"  It's  all  very  well  for  Mr.  Macneillie  who  has  been 
enjoying  a  holiday  all  these  weeks,  but  it's  rather  hard  on 
us,"  she  protested,  "  to  be  kept  rehearsing  every  day  till 
four  o'clock,  just  when  we  wanted  a  little  free  time,  too." 

For  Ivy  was  rejoicing  in  the  presence  of  Dermot  and 
Bride  O'Eyan,  who  had  come  down  for  the  Shaksperian 
performances,  Bride  for  pleasure,  and  Dermot  chiefly  to 
see  Ivy  and  to  write  a  series  of  articles  for  his  paper. 

Evereld  was  delighted  to  have  her  friend  with  her  and 
thoroughly  enjoyed  her  first  experience  of  the  Memorial 
week.  Stratford  had  naturally  very  happy  associations  for 
her,  and  though  the  weather  was  not  quite  so  perfect  as  it 
had  been  during  their  brief  honeymoon,  it  did  not  affect 
the  audiences  which  were  always  lai»ge  and  enthusiastic. 


436  WAY  FARING   MEN 

One  evening  towards  the  end  of  the  week  Bride  and 
Evereld  were  as  usual  setting  off  together  for  the  theatre. 
There  had  been  rain  during  the  day  but  the  evening  was 
bright  and  clear  so  that  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  them 
from  going  by  the  river. 

"  There  is  something  so  delicious  in  just  stepping  into 
the  '  Miranda '  and  being  rowed  to  the  very  door,"  said 
Evereld  as  she  took  her  place  in  that  same  boat  in  which 
only  a  little  while  before  Macneillie  and  Christine  had 
had  their  last  interview.    "  It  must  be  hke  this  at  Venice." 

"  Minus  the  Shaksperian  associations  and  plus  the 
smells/'  said  Bride  with  a  smile.  "  Here  come  these  vi- 
cious swans  that  look  so  picturesque  and  are  really  so 
bad  tempered.  One  of  them  nearly  made  an  end  of  Dick 
the  other  day,  according  to  Bridget." 

They  glided  on  peacefully,  watching  the  mellow  sunset 
sky  and  the  church  spire  and  the  stately  trees  surround- 
ing it  until  the  landlord  rowed  them  up  to  the  steps  in 
the  garden  surrounding  the  theatre,  and  here  as  they 
climbed  the  grassy  bank  they  were  surprised  to  come 
across  Macneillie  walking  to  and  fro  with  someone  they 
did  not  recognise.  Evereld  wondered  much  how  it  came 
that  he  was  deep  in  conversation,  for  it  was  nearly  time 
for  the  performance  to  begin.  He  seemed  somewhat  re- 
lieved when  he  caught  sight  of  her  and  introduced  Mr. 
Barry  Sterne,  then  telhng  her  to  see  that  the  attendants 
gave  him  a  good  place,  and  arranging  to  meet  him  later 
on,  he  hurried  to  the  Stage  door,  leaving  Evereld  and 
Bride  to  enjoy  the  talk  of  the  new  comer. 

"  This  looks  something  like  Shakspere  worship,"  he 
remarked  glancing  round  the  perfectly  built  theatre  which 
was  already  well  filled.  "  I  wish  I  had  here  with  me  the 
curious  old  fossil  I  met  to-day  in  the  train.  There  were 
a  couple  of  Americans  plying  him  with  questions  about 
Stratford;  they  set  upon  him  the  moment  we  left  Euston, 
and  '  Wanted  to  know  '  everything.    The  old  gentleman 


WAYFARING  MEN  437 

couldn't  get  in  a  word  edgeways  for  some  time,  what  with 
the  tunnels  and  the  sharp  fire  of  questions.  At  last  he 
remarked  stiffly,  '  I  have  never  read  any  of  Shakspere's 
plays  myself,  but  I  have  always  understood  that  he  was 
a  most  immoral  writer/  You  should  have  seen  the  faces 
of  the  two  Yankees!  It  was  as  good  as  a  play.  And  the 
old  fellow  was  quite  unaware  that  he  had  said  anything 
extraordinary  and  blandly  v/ent  on  reading  a  religious 
newspaper!  " 

The  play  was  "  As  You  Like  It,"  and  for  the  first  time 
Ivy  was  to  play  the  part  of  Celia  and  Ealph  was  to  make 
his  first  appearance  as  Orlando.  Evereld  wondered  much 
what  Barry  Sterne  thought  of  the  performance.  He  was 
rather  silent  at  the  close  of  the  second  act  and  she  was 
half  afraid  that  he  had  not  approved  of  it  until  she  found 
that  he  had  been  listening  to  the  criticisms  of  the  people 
immediately  behind  them. 

"  It  is  to  me  about  the  most  amusing  thing  in  the  world 
to  hear  the  comments  of  the  public,"'  he  said  to  Evereld. 
"  Your  amateur  is  always  such  a  merciless  critic.  The 
less  he  knows  the  more  scathing  will  be  his  fault  finding. 
Now  Macneillie's  melancholy  Jaques  is  about  as  fine  a 
piece  of  acting  as  one  could  wish  to  see,  I  don't  know 
anyone  who  makes  so  much  of  the  character.  But  those 
wise-acres  behind  are  carping  away  because  they  think  it 
shows  what  cultured  mortals  they  are." 

"  It  is  much  the  same  at  the  Academy,"  said  Evereld. 
"  The  less  people  know  about  painting  the  more  severe 
are  their  comments." 

"  If  Lear  wrote  a  modern  version  of  his  nonsense  alpha- 
bet it  ought  to  be  '  C  was  the  carping  cantankerous  critic 
who  cavilled  and  canted  of  Culture,' "  said  Barry  Sterne 
with  a  laugh.  "  Your  husband  makes  an  excellent  Or- 
lando. I  hear,  too,  that  his  Eomeo  is  very  good.  I  sup- 
pose you  have  often  seen  him  in  that  part?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  very  often.    The  last  time,"  she  smiled  at  the 


438  WAYFARING  MEN 

remembrance,  "  was  in  the  autumn  up  in  the  north  of 
England;  I  shall  never  forget  it.  Exactly  opposite  the 
theatre  on  a  bit  of  waste  ground,  a  wild  beast  show  was 
being  held,  and  it  had  the  most  noisy  band  imaginable. 
All  through  the  Balcony  scene  it  was  thundering  out 
'  The  man  that  broke  the  bank  at  Monte  Carlo.'  And  the 
next  night  Hamlet  had  to  soliloquise  to  the  strains  of 
*  Daisy  Bell.'    It  was  the  funniest  thing  I  ever  heard!  " 

Barry  Sterne  capped  this  story  with  a  reminiscence  of 
the  days  when  he  had  been  in  a  travelling  company,  and 
by  the  end  of  the  evening  Evereld  was  ready  to  consider 
him  the  best  raconteur  she  had  ever  met. 

He  went  round  afterwards  to  Macneillie's  dressing- 
room  and  Evereld  was  escorted  home  by  Dermot  and 
Bride,  who  would  not  however  accept  her  invitation  to 
supper  as  they  were  already  engaged  to  meet  Ivy  at  the 
Jirintons'.  The  night  had  turned  chilly.  Evereld  was 
glad  to  find  a  fire  awaiting  them,  and  she  curled  herself 
up  comfortably  in  an  armchair  waiting  for  the  return  of 
the  men-folk  and  finishing  Black's  charming  story  "  Ju- 
dith Shakspere." 

"  How  long  they  are  to-night! "  she  exclaimed,  when 
the  last  page  was  turned  and  Judith  whose  grave  she  had 
seen  in  the  chancel  of  Stratford  church  only  that  morning, 
had  been  left  happily  with  her  lover  Tom  Quiney.  *'  I 
shall  starve  if  they  don't  come  soon.  What  a  fire  this  is 
for  toast!    I  will  make  some  to  pass  the  time." 

After  a  while  steps  were  heard  on  the  stairs  and  in 
came  Macneillie  and  Ralph  with  apologies  for  having 
kept  her  so  long.  Macneillie,  who  was  a  man  with  a  strong 
shrinking  from  any  sort  of  change  in  his  surroundings, 
felt  a  pang  as  he  reflected  that  soon  there  would  be  no 
bright-faced  little  housekeeper  waiting  to  welcome  him, 
and  making  a  home  out  of  each  place  they  stayed  at  in 
their  wandering  life.  He  stood  warming  himself  by  the 
fire  noticing  dreamily  the  mute  caress  which  passed  be- 


WAYFARING  MEN  439 

tween  husband  and  wife,  the  funny  way  in  which  Evereld 
divided  her  attention  between  the  perfect  toasting  of  a 
particular  sHce  of  bread,  and  the  discussion  of  the  way  in 
wiiich  Orlando  had  carried  Adam  in  the  forest  banquet 
scene,  and  then  her  half  anxious  glance  in  his  direction 
w'hich  seemed  to  say,  "  I  know  you  are  tired  and  out  of 
spirits  but  3'-ou  shall  not  be  bothered  with  questions,  you 
shall  be  fed." 

She  made  them  laugh  at  supper  over  Barry  Sterne's 
travelling  companion  who  had  been  sure  that  Shakspere 
was  a  most  immoral  writer,  but  she  could  see  that  some- 
thing was  troubling  Ealph,  for  instead  of  being  the  life 
of  the  party  he  was  silent  and  abstracted. 

•Macneillie  soon  solved  the  mystery,  and  turning  to 
her  with  one  of  his  humourous  smiles,  said,  "  I  am  sure 
you  would  think  to  look  at  him  that  he  had  dismally 
failed  or  had  been  half  slaughtered  by  the  critics.  I  as- 
sure you,  my  dear,  it's  nothing  of  the  sort.  He  has  just 
had  the  offer  of  a  very  good  London  engagement." 

"What,  from  Mr.  Sterne?"  asked  Evereld  in  amaze- 
ment. 

"  Yes,  they  brought  out  a  new  piece  you  know  on  Easter 
Monday  and  it  seems  that  Jack  Carrington  is  again  going 
to  prove  Ralph's  good  genius  by  failing  altogether  to  get 
hold  of  the  part  he  has  to  play.  The  fact  is,  Carrington 
is  excellent  as  far  as  he  goes,  but  his  range  is  limited,  he 
feels  that  he  will  never  succeed  in  this  play  and  Sterne 
sees  it  too.  They  are  parting  quite  amicably,  and  he  wants 
Ralph  to  take  his  place." 

"  I  can't  leave  you.  Governor,"  said  Ealph  with  a  vibra- 
tion in  his  voice  which  made  the  tears  start  to  Evereld's 
eyes. 

"  Oh  no,"  she  said  eagerly.  "  Don't  let  us  go — why  we 
belong  to  you  now." 

"  My  dear  child,"  said  Macneillie,  "  don't  you  go  and 
encourage  him  in  refusing  an  offer  which  he  ought  to 


440  WAYFARING  MEN 

jump  at.  We  have  been  arguing  the  matter  ever  since 
we  parted  with  Barry  Sterne  at  the  station  and  nothing 
can  I  get  out  of  Ralph  but  protests  which  quite  take 
me  back  to  Mrs.  Micawber.  The  fact  is  you  two  read 
Dickens  to  such  an  extent  that  you  are  quite  saturated 
with  him.  This  is  an  excellent  offer  and  ought  to  be 
accepted." 

"  But  I  never  will,  no  I  never  will  desert  Mr.  Macneil- 
lie!  "  quoted  Evereld  merrily.  "  Why  are  you  so  anxious 
to  get  rid  of  us?  You  always  pretend  that  you  miss  us 
when  we  are  away." 

"  So  I  do,  my  dear,  there's  no  pretence  about  it,"  said 
Macneillie,  "  but  joking  apart,  it  really  would  be  madness 
to  refuse  such  a  chance  as  this  just  because  we  are  the 
best  of  friends  and  are  verj'  happy  together.  Moreover 
there  are  two  special  reasons  why  I  want  you  to  accept  it. 
The  first  I  will  tell  you  now,  and  the  second  shall  be 
for  Ealph  presently.  I  don't  deny  that  I  shall  miss  you 
horribly,  but  I  shall  be  happier  in  the  long  run  to  think 
that  you  have  a  home  of  your  own,  and  I  should  always 
reproach  myself  if  Ealph  neglected  a  chance  which  will 
probably  lead  on  to  fortune.  You  and  I  must  consider 
what  is  best  for  his  career.  If  he  were  my  own  son  I 
should  insist  on  his  going,  as  it  is  I  can  only  strongly 
advise  it." 

They  talked  for  some  little  time  over  the  proposed 
change,  and  then  Evereld  went  to  her  room  leanng  the 
men  to  argue  the  matter  out  at  still  greater  length  over 
their  pipes.  In  her  own  mind  she  began  to  have  some 
vague  suspicion  of  the  reason  why  he  was  so  anxious  for 
them  to  accept  the  offer,  and  later  on  Ralph  confirmed  her 
in  this  idea.  She  was  still  brushing  out  her  sunny  brown 
liair  when  he  came  in. 

"Well  darling,  I  believe  we  shall  have  to  go,"  he  said. 
"  Ilatefu]  as  it  will  be  to  leave  Macneillie,  it  is  of  course 
a  step  upward,  and  he  seems  really  anxious  that  we  should 


WAYFARING  MEN  44 1 

not  lose  such  a  chance.    Moreover  it  is  not  alone  of  us 
that  he  is  thinking.    It  is  of  Miss  Greville." 

"  I  felt  somehow  that  it  was,  and  yet  what  difference 
can  it  make  to  her?  "  said  Evereld  wouderingly.  "  I  ad- 
mire her  more  than  I  can  tell  you,  but  of  what  possible 
use  can  we  be  to  her?  " 

"  Well  it's  hard  to  say,  but  she  seems  to  have  told  Mac- 
neillie  that  she  had  taken  a  great  fancy  to  you  the  other 
day  when  we  met  her  at  the  Ilerefords,  and  then  I  think 
lie  said  something  about  the  possibility  of  some  opening 
in  London  for  me,  and  naturally  she  would  like  to  help 
his  friends.  Then  too  from  what  he  told  me  she  must 
be  awfully  lonely,  and  though  she  tries  to  lead  as  retired 
a  life  as  possible  yet  difficulties  are  always  cropping  up." 

"  Where  does  she  live?  " 

"  Slie  has  had  a  flat  in  Victoria  Street,  but  is  leaving, 
Barry  Sterne  told  us.  I  think  he  said  she  had  got  another 
flat  at  Chelsea." 

"  Could  we  afford  to  live  in  such  a  neighbourhood  as 
Chelsea?" 

"  Yes,  I  think  we  might  if  we  can  find  anything  suit- 
able, my  salary  will  be  better  than  it  is  now,  and  w^e  could 
furnish  by  degrees." 

"  Oh,  Ealph!  what  fun!  "  cried  Evereld  her  eyes  light- 
ing up  at  the  prospect  of  furnishing,  for  she  was  a  true 
•woman. 

"  We  would  do  it  ver}^  very  economically.  We  would 
begin  like  Traddles  and  Sophy  '  on  a  Britannia  metal 
footing; '  there  would  always  be  the  Memorial  spoons  for 
visitors,  you  know." 

And  thus  Macneillie's  plot  prospered  exceedingly,  and 
though  the  wrench  of  parting  was  hard,  Ralph  and  Ever- 
eld soon  settled  down  very  happily  in  their  new  quarters, 
a  snug  little  flat  at  the  very  top  of  the  same  building  at 
Chelsea  in  which  Christine  Greville  occupied  the  first 
floor,  and  she  could  see  as  much  or  as  little  of  them  as  she 


442  WAYFARING  MEN 

liked.  She  liked  to  see  a  great  deal  of  them  as  it  hap- 
pened, and  Evereld  and  Dick  were  alwaj's  ready  to  come 
in  and  companionise  Charlie,  while  Ealph  proved  himself 
a  most  trusty  knight-errant,  and  the  happiness  of  the 
young  husband  and  wife  cheered  Christine  as  it  had 
cheered  Macneillie.  Those  whose  lives  have  been  clouded 
by  some  grievous  trouble  are  supposed  theoretically  to 
hate  the  sight  of  happiness;  but  that  is  merely  a  popular 
fallacy.  With  the  great  majority  it  is  an  intense  relief 
to  come  across  happiness,  the  mere  sight  of  it  does  good, 
and  the  happy  confer  on  the  sorrowful  a  real  boon  by 
their  mere  existence. 


CHAPTER  XLI 

"  As  Thou  hast  found  me  ready  to  Thy  call, 
Which  stationed  me  to  watch  the  outer  wall, 
And,  quitting  joys  and  hopes  that  once  were  mine, 
To  pace  with  patient  steps  this  narrow  line 
Oh  !    may  it  be  that,  coming  soon  or  late, 
Thou  still  shalt  find  Thy  soldier  at  the  gate, 
Who  then  may  follow  Thee  till  sight  needs  not  to  prove, 
And  faith  will  be  dissolved  in  knowledge  of  Thy  love." 

G.   J.    llOMANES. 

It  was  in  July,  while  Macneillie  was  spending  his  sum- 
mer holiday  at  Callander,  that  his  mother's  sudden  death 
made  liim  more  than  ever  alone  in  the  world.  They  had 
passed  together  a  particularly  happy  fortnight,  and 
though  he  could  see  that  she  was  gradually  getting  more 
infirm  she  had  never  known  a  day's  illness,  and  her  loss 
came  as  a  terrible  shock  to  him. 

Ralph  and  Evereld  were  able  to  come  down  to  the 
funeral,  for  the  London  season  was  just  over  and  he  was 
glad  to  have  them  with  him  for  ten  days  before  he  started 
once  more  on  tour.  He  was  thinking  of  selling  the  house 
and  furniture,  but  Ralph  who  knew  what  pains  he  had 
spent  in  building  it,  and  how  sad  the  dispersal  of  all  his 
old  home  belongings  must  be,  persuaded  him  to  leave 
things  much  as  they  were  and  content  himself  with  letting 
it  as  a  furnished  house  for  the  summer  months. 

For  a  time  the  presence  of  the  Denmeads  cheered  him 
a  good  deal.  He  enjoyed  hearing  every  detail  of  their  life 
in  London,  and  he  insisted  on  taking  them  to  the  Pass 
of  Leny  that  he  might  show  Evereld  the  exact  spot  where 
he  had  first  come  across  her  husband.  Each  morning, 
too,  they  used  to  tramp  up  the  road  leading  to  the  well 
and  Ralph  would  read  aloud  from  "  Marius  the  Epicu- 
rean," while  Evereld  made  a  sketch  which  Macneillie  had 
long  desired: — the  rough  moorland  road  in  the  fore-* 
ground  leading  to  the  crest  of  the  hill;  on  either  side  a 


444  WAYFARING  MEN 

stretch  of  purple  heather ;  the  hint  of  a  valley  down  below 
where  Callander  lay  hidden  and,  in  the  distance,  a  range 
of  blue  Scottish  mountains  which  he  said  would  make 
him  breathe  "  caller  "  air  only  to  look  at. 

"  I  shall  take  it  with  me  wherever  I  go,"  he  said. 
"  There  is  no  reason  why  wayfaring  men  shouldn't  have 
a  few  possessions  of  their  own.  Besides  I  have  foresworn 
the  travelling  clock.  It  is  no  good  to  me  since  you  have 
gone,  for  I  can  never  remember  to  wind  it,  so  there  is  one 
thing  less  to  pack." 

"  It  was  here  in  this  identical  place  that  you  coached 
me  that  summer  after  I  was  ill,"  said  Ralph.  "  I  connect 
it  with  Florizel,  and  Claudio,  and  Fabian,  and  with  that 
Scotch  play  Miss  Greville  was  acting  in  at  Edinburgh." 

"  Yes,  and  taking  him  altogether  he  was  a  very  amena- 
ble pupil,"  said  Macneillie  smiling  at  Evereld.  "  I  wish 
I  could  say  as  much  for  his  successor." 

But  unfortunately  a  second  Ealph  Denmead  proved 
hard  to  find.  And  Macneillie  had  a  very  discouraging 
time  of  it  all  through  August  and  September.  The 
weather  was  unusually  hot  and  even  in  the  watering- 
places  that  they  visited  the  audiences  were  seldom  good. 
Then  came  a  spell  of  very  wet  weather,  but  the  houses 
were  still  poor,  and  it  seemed  that  no  one  cared  for  Shak- 
spere,  that  old  Enghsh  Comedy  ceased  to  attract  and  that 
the  restless  spirits  of  modern  people  required  something 
much  more  highly  seasoned. 

Nourished  on  skimmed  newspaper,  hashed  review  ar- 
ticles, minced  magazines  in  the  form  of  summaries,  and 
short  stories  of  dubious  morality,  was  it  likely  that  their 
brains  could  be  in  a  condition  to  receive  good  wholesome 
literary  food? 

Macneillie  had  long  been  aware  that  a  wave  of  evil 
tvmdency  was  passing  over  literature  and  the  drama,  he 
had  struggled  on,  never  allowing  it  to  influence  his  choice 
of  plays,  sure  that  in  time  the  "  evil  on  itself  would  back 
recoil,"  and  faithful  to  his  own  conviction  of  what  was  a 


WAYFARING  MEN  445 

manager's  duty.  But  he  began  now  to  think  that,  before 
the  force  of  this  wave  of  uncleanness  liad  spent  itself,  it 
would  altogether  submerge  his  fortune  and  leave  him  a 
ruined  man. 

One  of  the  tilings  that  tried  him  most  severely  was  the 
timidity  of  those  who  should  have  been  his  best  support- 
ers. The  clergy  with  a  few  noteworthy  exceptions  ful- 
minated against  the  evil  plays  but  failed  to  support  the 
good.  He  knew  that  hundreds  of  them  would  troop  to 
Washington's  theatre  when  they  went  to  London,  but 
they  were  generally  conspicuous  by  their  absence  from  the 
theatres  in  their  own  towns  where  their  presence  might 
really  have  done  much  good.  Personally  they  respected 
him  and  spoke  of  him  in  warm  terms,  but  very  few  of 
them  at  all  understood  how  hard  a  fight  this  man  was 
making  in  a  time  of  exceptional  difficulty,  or  how  bitter 
it  was  to  him  when  those,  from  whom  he  reasonably  ex- 
pected much,  held  aloof. 

It  was  quite  the  end  of  September  when  the  Macneillie 
Company  found  themselves  once  more  at  Liverpool.  They 
were  giving  the  plays  they  had  performed  at  Stratford 
during  the  Memorial  week,  and  this  made  Macneillie  feel 
the  loss  of  Ralph  more  acutely  than  ever.  To  turn  straight 
from  a  pupil  who  had  been  extraordinarily  receptive, 
always  good-humoured,  always  ready  to  study,  and 
grudging  no  pains  in  the  effort  to  please  his  instructor 
and  conquer  his  own  faults,  to  a  man  of  exactly  the  oppo- 
site type,  was  hard  indeed.  It  was  all  the  more  annoying 
to  Macneillie  because  Ealph's  successor  had  excellent  abil- 
ities but  was  cursed  with  the  conviction  that  he  already 
knew  everything  a  little  better  than  the  Manager;  he  had 
moreover  been  born  with  one  of  those  touchv  and  wav- 
ward  natures  that  are  so  hard  to  deal  with.  lie  lived 
in  a  perpetual  state  of  taking  offence,  and  though  ^lacneil- 
lie  apparently  ignored  this  and  went  quietly  on  his  way, 
it  nevertheless  chafed  him  a  good  deal. 


446  WAYFARING  MEN 

Then,  too,  all  the  many  vicissitudes  of  a  travelling  com- 
pany— ^the  illness  of  one,  the  quarrels  of  another — seemed 
to  worry  him  more  now  that  he  was  alone  and  had  no  one 
to  discuss  things  with.  The  very  rooms  he  occupied  in 
►Seymour  Street  were  full  of  memories  to  him;  he  had 
stayed  there  more  than  once  with  I'alph  and  Evereld,  it 
had  been  there  that  they  had  first  come  to  him  after  their 
marriage,  and  the  place  looked  horribly  blank  without 
them. 

By  the  Thursday  morning  of  their  stay  he  was  in  the 
lowest  spirits.  For  three  nights  they  had  played  to 
wretchedly  bad  houses  owing  to  counter  attractions  else- 
where; his  old  trouble  of  sleeplessness  was  returning  and 
he  felt  ill  and  horribly  depressed  as  he  walked  down 
through  the  wet  dingy  streets  to  the  Shakspere  Theatre. 
There  was  a  rehearsal  of  Eomeo  and  Juliet,  and  the  inso- 
lent manner  and  insufTerable  conceit  of  the  Juvenile  Lead 
proved  just  the  last  straw.  After  going  through  some 
great  agony  in  life,  and  going  through  it  well  and  bravely 
we  are  sadly  apt  to  break  down  under  some  quite  trifling 
strain.  A  petty  thing  will  irritate  us  absurdly  in  the  re- 
action after  great  distress,  and  Macneillie  lost  his  temper 
now  and  scolded  the  offending  actor  right  royally.  When 
an  habitually  quiet,  self-restrained  man  does  lose  his  tem- 
per he  usually  does  it  with  great  thoroughness.  Eomeo 
was  impressed  as  he  might  have  been  by  a  sudden  thun- 
der storm  on  a  Avinter's  day,  but  those  who  really  knew 
the  Manager  were  troubled  at  such  an  unwonted  scene, 
and  Ivy  glanced  at  him  with  the  conviction  that  his 
health  was  again  breaking  down. 

It  was  an  uncomfortable  rehearsal  and  ]\racncillie  went 
back  to  Seymour  Street  doubly  depressed.  Ilis  thoughts 
turned  to  that  April  afternoon  at  Stratford  on  the  river. 
He  had  been  strong  then,  but 

"  It  is  very  pood  for  streng-th 
To  know  tliat  someone  needs  you  to  be  strong-." 


WAYFARING  MEN  447 

Christine's  presence,  though  in  one  sense  it  had  been  his 
most  severe  trial,  had  been  in  another  an  incentive  to  en- 
dure. To-day,  in  his  lonely  room  with  food  before  hira 
which  he  could  not  touch,  with  a  brain  exhausted  by  want 
of  rest,  and  harassed  by  a  hundred  cares  and  annoyances, 
he  came  perilously  near  to  yielding.  For  that  was  the 
worst  of  it.  The  struggle  was  not  one  to  be  gone  through 
once  and  for  all,  it  was  constantly  recurring.  And  always 
he  had  the  consciousness  that  Christine's  reverence  for 
law  was  weaker  than  his  own,  that  she  would  quickly  yield 
to  his  lightest  word.  It  was  moreover  so  fatally  easy  to 
go  to  her,  so  hard  to  be  loyal  to  that  shamefully  unfair 
law  of  the  land  which  should  be  reformed. 

To  check  his  thoughts  he  took  up  one  of  the  London 
papers.  The  first  thing  that  met  his  eye  was  the  an- 
nouncement that  Sir  Matthew  Mactavish  had  died  in  the 
distant  place  of  refuge  which  he  had  succeeded  in  gain- 
ing. And  almost  immediately  afterwards  he  noticed  a 
paragraph  in  which  was  a  brief  account  of  the  marriage 
of  the  Honourable  Herbert  Vane-Ffoulkes  to  Lady  Dun- 
lop-Tyars,  widow  of  the  late  Sir  John  Dunlop-Tyars, 
Bart. 

He  smiled  a  little  over  the  memories  evoked  by  those 
names,  but  the  dark  cloud  soon  stole  over  him  once  more. 

"  Villains  can  die,"  he  thought  to  himself,  "  and  emp- 
ty-headed fools  can  marry,  but  I  must  still  drag  on  this 
death  in  life!  " 

Then  fiends'  voices  began  to  urge  him  to  give  up: 
mocking  fiends  who  jeered  at  his  obsolete  notions  of 
right  and  wrong:  practical  fiends  who  would  have  had 
him  cease  a  vain  endeavor  to  keep  up  an  impossible  stand- 
ard of  morality,  and  from  thenceforth  pander  to  the  de- 
praved taste  of  the  public;  shrewd  fiends  who  argued 
plausibly  enough  that  his  health  was  breaking  down  and 
that  it  was  high  time  to  yield. 

Macneillie  with  an  effort  roused  himself  and  for  a  while 


448  WAYFARING  MEN 

balllcd  them  by  taking  a  brisk  walk;  it  was  cold  and  wet 
and  dreary  but  the  exercise  was  a  relief  and  by  the  time 
he  had  reached  the  Seaforth  Sands  he  had  regained  his 
composure.  The  struggle  was  for  the  time  over,  but  ex- 
istence looked  to  him  as  wretched,  as  cheerless,  as  that 
wild  desolate  country  at  the  entrance  to  the  ^Mersey.  The 
rain  too  began  to  come  down  remorselessly,  and  he  made 
his  way  to  the  station  of  the  electric  railway  and  returned 
by  the  docks  to  the  city.  As  he  was  walking  along  Church 
Street  he  chanced  to  come  across  Ralph's  friend  George 
Mowbray. 

"I  am  just  going  to  the  Art  Gallery,"  he  observed. 
"  Bicycling  is  hopeless  to-day,  the  tires  do  nothing  but 
sHp." 

"  I  will  ccme  with  you,"  said  Macneillie,  not  because  he 
cared  in  the  least  to  see  the  pictures,  but  from  sheer  dread 
of  having  spare  time  on  his  hands. 

He  had  never  before  contrived  to  see  the  Walker  Art 
G-allery  and  as  he  wandered  drearily  round  the  place,  see- 
ing yet  hardly  heeding  the  treasures  it  contains,  his  atten- 
tion was  at  length  arrested  by  Poynter's  well-known  pict- 
ure "  Faithful  unto  Death."  He  was  of  course  familiar 
with  the  story  of  the  sentinel  of  Pompeii  whose  skeleton 
was  discovered,  hundreds  of  years  later,  standing  on  guard 
at  his  gate.  But  he  never  realised  till  he  saw  that  picture 
how  awful  must  have  been  the  man's  temptation  to  es- 
cape and  save  himself  as  all  the  rest  were  doing.  Behind 
him  were  only  two  or  three  flying  figures,  most  of  the  citi- 
zens must  already  have  fled;  but  before  him,  and  draw- 
ing very  near,  was  the  awful  lurid  glow  which  meant 
certain  death.  The  sentinel  stood  facing  it,  he  was  per- 
fectly upright,  perfectly  calm,  only  in  the  strong  tension 
of  the  muscles  of  the  hand  one  could  see  how  instinctively 
he  gripped  the  sword  which  could  now  avail  him  nothing. 
In  his  dilated  eyes  there  was  no  abject  terror  but  a  great 
awe,  an  intensely  human  look  of  dread  of  the  swiftly  ap- 


WAYFARING  MEN  449 

proacliing  fiery  foe.  It  would  have  been  an  easy  tiling  to 
desert  his  post  and  disobey  orders.  Had  it  ever  come  into 
his  mind  as  he  gazed  across  the  campagna  to  Vesuvius  that 
self  preservation  was  permissible  under  such  circum- 
stances? That  a  soldier  need  not  always  obey  his  captain's 
orders?  Perhaps  it  had,  but  nevertheless  he  had  stood 
firm  and  had  died  in  what  no  doubt  seemed  a  useless  fash- 
ion, out  of  reverence  to  mere  law,  never  dreaming  that  his 
example  would  give  courage  and  strength  to  millions  of 
people  in  the  ages  to  come. 

Macneillie  turned  away  thoughtfully,  his  mind  at  work 
on  that  old,  old  problem  of  evil  and  suffering,  of  the  pos- 
sible gain  to  others  through  the  inexplicable  pain  of  the 
world. 

The  thought  of  it  haunted  him  as  he  wrote  business  let- 
ters in  his  lonely  room,  as  he  went  about  his  work  that 
night  at  the  theatre,  as  he  looked  with  a  sense  of  dull 
disappointment  and  depression  at  the  rows  of  empty 
stalls,  and  reflected  how  much  hard  toil  and  careful 
preparation  had  been  thrown  away  on  an  enterprise  by 
which  he  was  daily  losing  money.  Someone  brought  an 
evening  paper  into  the  green  room,  he  glanced  hurriedly 
at  an  account  of  the  new  play  shortly  to  be  produced  by 
Barry  Sterne;  he  read  a  few  lines  as  to  the  part  Christine 
was  to  take,  and  was  pleased  by  a  brief  allusion  to  the 
success  Ealph  had  had  in  the  summer.  But  as  he  went 
back  to  his  rooms  a  weary  distaste  for  his  work  in  the 
provinces  came  over  him,  he  longed  as  he  had  never 
longed  before  to  be  back  in  London,  to  be  working  once 
more  with  his  old  comrades. 

The  dismal  rain  still  fell  in  a  drizzle,  the  flaring  lights 
in  the  public  house  at  the  corner  of  Wild  Street  were  re- 
flected garishly  in  the  wet  pavement.  A  little  further 
on  as  he  crossed  London  Eoad  he  came  upon  a  small 
crowd  grouped  about  a  tram  car,  and  paused  listlessly  to 
see  what  was  wrong.    The  horses  were  vainly  struggling 


4SO  WAYFARING  MEN 

to  make  good  their  footing  on  the  slippery  road;  they 
stumbled  and  plunged  and  strained,  but  the  uphill  way 
was  too  much  for  them,  the  car  slipped  back  and  for  a 
minute  the  passengers  seemed  in  some  peril. 

Macneillie  drew  nearer  and  spoke  to  the  conductor  who 
was  at  the  horses'  heads  doing  his  utmost  to  urge  them  on. 

"  Is  the  load  too  heavy  for  them?  "  said  Macneillie. 

"  Bless  you,  no  sir,"  said  the  man,  "  they've  done  it 
scores  of  times,  but  it's  a  strain  on  'em  when  the  road's 
slippery,  and  this  'ere  roan  'e'es  afraid  of  coming  down. 
It's  just  panic  sir,  nothing  more,  'e  can  do  it  fast  enough." 

Macneillie  stroked  the  neck  of  the  frightened  horse, 
he  had  a  fellow  feeling  for  it. 

"  We  can't  have  the  line  blocked  or  the  passengers  up- 
set," said  the  driver,  with  an  oath  which  appeared  to  re- 
fresh him  greatly.  "  Come  on  mate,  he  must  do  it.  Take 
the  whip  and  keep  alongside  of  him  thrashing  him  as  we 
go." 

At  last  with  much  ado  the  car  was  in  motion  once  more, 
and  the  poor  roan,  kicking  and  plunging,  was  dragged 
and  flogged  up  the  hill. 

"  Oh,  how  could  you  let  them  be  so  cruel,  Mr.  Macneil- 
lie! "  said  Ivy  who,  on  her  way  back  to  her  rooms  with 
Helen  Orme,  had  witnessed  the  same  scene. 

"  Well  my  dear,  I  liked  it  as  little  as  you  did,"  said  the 
Manager,  "But  what  was  to  be  done?  The  load  was 
not  too  great,  it  was  merely  that  the  horse  was  frightened, 
and  there  was  no  persuading  it  that  it  would  not  come  to 
grief.  Like  the  rest  of  us  it  would  insist  on  thinking  of 
the  hill  in  front  of  it,  instead  of  concentrating  its  mind 
on  the  next  step.  You  see  while  you  anathematised  the 
driver  I,  like  the  melancholy  Jaques,  did  '  moralize  this 
spectacle.' " 

They  laughed  and  bade  him  good  night,  but  Ivy  looked 
rather  anxiously  after  him  as,  having  seen  them  to  their 
door,  he  recrossed  Seymour  Street  to  his  lodgings  a  little 
further  up. 


WAYFARING  MEN  451 

"  Nell,"  she  said  to  her  companion,  "  how  very  ill  Mr. 
Macneillie  looks  to-night.  I  think  he  will  break  down 
altogether." 

"  Oh,  I  hope  not,"  said  Helen  Orme.  "  I  think  he  is 
only  depressed.  He  has  lost  his  mother  lately  you  see, 
and  besides  I'm  sure  there  is  plenty  to  account  for  depres- 
sion with  such  houses  as  we  have  had  lately." 

Meanwhile  Macneillie  had  reached  his  desolate  rooms. 
He  had  been  thinking  of  the  Stratford  performances,  of 
Ealph's  brilhant  success,  of  the  crowded  theatre; — it 
seemed  to  him  that  he  ought  now  to  have  found  a  sweet- 
faced  little  housekeeper  sitting  by  the  fire  and  making 
toast,  that  there  ought  to  have  been  a  welcoming  glance 
from  Evereld's  truthful  blue  eyes.  Instead  there  was  an 
empty  room  and  a  fireless  grate  and  a  solitary  meal  await- 
ing him.  He  sat  down  and  ate  dutifully  but  quite  without 
appetite.  He  forced  himself  to  remember  how  much 
better  it  was  that  Ealph  and  Evereld  should  be  near 
Christine;  but  the  more  he  thought  the  more  that  horrible 
craving  to  be  there  too  assailed  him. 

And  presently,  for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  a  feeling 
of  deadly  faintness  came  over  him;  he  staggered  into  his 
bedroom.  The  gas  was  turned  low,  the  window  which 
was  at  the  back  of  the  house  had  been  left  wide  open,  he 
breathed  more  freely  and  leant  for  some  minutes  against 
the  shutter,  vaguely  conscious  of  the  night  sky  and  of  the 
dark  outline  of  the  neighbouring  buildings.  In  his  eyes 
there  was  the  same  look  of  awe — of  a  great  human  dread 
— which  makes  the  eyes  of  the  Pompeian  sentinel  so 
pathetic.  He  had  endured  long  and  patiently,  had 
thought  little  of  the  effect  on  himself,  but  now  the  dread 
of  an  utter  failure  of  health  seized  him,  and  he  knew  that 
it  was  no  idle  fancy  but  a  very  real  peril  which  must  be 
bravely  faced. 

And  yet  better,  a  thousand  times  better,  the  wreck  of 
body  and  mind  than  the  failure  to  be  a  law-abiding  citi- 


4Sa  WAYFARING  MEN 

zen.    Better  this  cruel  absence  from  the  woman  he  loved 
than  faithlessness  to  what  he  knew  to  be  right. 

"  There  is  not  a  pin  to  choose  between  me  and  that 
tram-car  horse!  "  he  reflected,  pulling  down  the  blind 
and  turning  up  the  gas  with  a  humourous  smile  flickering 
even  then  about  his  pale  lips.  "  The  way  is  slippery  and 
there's  a  hill  to  be  climbed, — it  is  collar  work,  but  a  step 
at  a  time  may  do  it  safely  after  all.  Anyhow  I  will  put 
'  a  stiff  back  to  a  stubborn  brae.'  " 

He  paused  for  a  minute  to  look  at  Evereld's  water  co- 
lour sketch  of  the  moorland  road,  and  to  breathe  "  caller  " 
air  as  he  glanced  at  the  heather  and  at  the  blue  mountains 
beyond  the  hidden  valley. 

He  would  go  on  patiently  as  a  wayfaring  man  should 
do;  and  perchance  in  time — oh,  how  he  longed  and 
prayed  for  that  time! — the  unjust  law  would  be  reformed, 
and  he  and  Christine  might  And  rest  and  a  home  in  that 
hidden  valley  of  the  future.  In  any  case  no  one  could 
rob  them  of  their  inheritance  beyond. 

Not,  however,  until  he  turned  the  picture  over  and 
read  the  quotation  from  "  Marius  the  Epicurean  "  which 
he  had  written  at  Callander  on  the  back  of  it,  did  his  usual 
look  of  quiet  strength  return  to  him. 

The  words  were  these: — "Must  not  the  whole  world 
around  have  faded  away  from  him  altogether,  had  he  been 
left  for  one  moment  really  alone  in  it?  In  his  deepest 
apparent  solitude  there  had  been  rich  entertainment.  It 
was  as  if  there  were  not  one  only,  but  two  wayfarers,  side 
by  side." 


THE   END 


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Being  the  Memoirs  of  Gaston  de  Bonne, 
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"One  of  the  best  novels  since  'Lorna  Doone  '  It  will  be  read  and  then  re-read  for  the 
mere  pleasure  its  reading  gives.  The  subtle  charm  of  it  is  not  in  merely  transporting  the 
nineteenth-century  reaiier  to  the  sixteenth,  tliat  he  may  see  life  as  it  was  then,  but  in  Irans- 
forniinj;  hirn  into  a  sixtcjnth-century  man,  thinking  its  th  ughts,  and  living  its  life  in  perfect 
touch  and  sympathy  ...  it  carries  the  reader  out  of  his  present  hfc,  giving  him  a  new 
and  totally  different  existence  that  rests  and  refreshes  him." — N.  Y.  WoRLU. 

"  No  novelist  outside  of  France  has  displayed  a  more  definite  comprehension  of  the  very 
essence  of  mediaeval  French  life,  and  no  one,  certainly,  has  been  able  to  set  forth  a  depiction 
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flavor  of  adventure." — Bbacon,  Boston. 

•'  We  hardly  know  whether  to  call  this  latest  work  of  Stanley  J.  Weyman  a  historical 
jomance  or  a  story  of  adventure.  It  has  all  the  interesting,  fascinating  and  thrilling  charac- 
teristics of  both.  The  scene  is  in  France,  and  the  time  is  that  fateful  eventful  one  which 
culminated  in  Henry  of  Navarre  becoming  king._  Naturally  it  is  a  story  of  plots  and  intrigue, 
of  danger  and  of  the  gmnd  passion,  abounding  in  intense  dramatic  scenes  and  most  interest- 
ing situations.     It  is  a  romance  which  will  rank  among  the  masterpieces  of  historic  fiction." 

— Abvertiser,  Boston. 

"  A  romance  after  the  style  of  Dumas  the  elder,  and  well  worthy  of  being  read  by  thos« 
who  can  enjoy  stirring  adventures  to:d  in  true  romantic  fashion.  .  .  .  'I  he  great  person- 
ages of  the  time — Henry  III.  of  Valois,  Henry  IV.,  Rosny,  Ranibouillct,  Turenue — are 
brought  in  skillfully,  and  the  tragic  and  varied  history  of  the  time  forms  a  splendid  frame  in 
which  to  set  the  picture  of  Marsao's  love  and  courage  ...  the  troublous  days  arc  well 
described  and  the  interest  is  genuine  and  lasting,  for  up  to  the  very  end  the  author  manages 
effects  which  impel  the  reader  to  go  on  with  renewed  curiosity." — The  Nation. 

"A  genuine  and  admirable  piece  of  work.  .  .  .  The  reader  will  not  turn  marry  pages 
before  he  finds  himself  in  the  grasp  of  a  writer  who  holds  his  attention  to  the  very  last  mo- 
ment of  the  story.     '1  he  spirit  of  adventure  pervades  the  whole  from  beginning  to  end.     .     .     . 

It  may  be  said  that  the  narration  is  a  deli.;htful  love  story.  The  interest  of  the  reader 
Is  constantly  excited  by  the  development  of  unexpected  turns  in  the  relation  of  the  principal 
lovers.  The  romance  lies  against  a  background  of  history  truly  painted.  .  .  .  The 
descriptions  of  the  court  life  of  the  period  and  of  the  factional  strifes,  divisions,  hatreds  r.f  ih» 
age,  are  fine.  .  .  .  This  story  of  those  times  is  worthy  of  a  very  high  place  among  histori- 
cal novels  of  recent  years."— Public  Opinion. 

"  Dold,  strong,  dashing,  it  is  one  of  the  best  we  have  read  for  many  years.  We  sat  down 
for  a  cursory  perusal,  and  ended  by  reading  it  delightedly  through.  .  .  .  Mr.  Weyman 
has  much  of  the  vigor  and  rush  of  incident  of  Dr.  Conan  Doyle,  and  this  book  ranks  worihilv 
beside  '  The  White  Company.'  .  .  .  We  very  cordially  recommend  this  book  to  the  }aded 
novel  reader  who  cares  for  manly  actions  more  than  for  morbid  introspection." 

— The  Churchman. 

"The  book  is  not  on'y  good  literature,  it  is  a  'rattling  good  story,'  instinct  with  I  he 
jpirit  of  true  adventure  and  stirring  emotion.  Of  love  and  peril,  intrigue  and  fighting,  there 
Is  plenty,  and  many  scenes  could  not  have  been  bettered.  In  all  hi^  adventures,  and  l\<rf 
arc  many,  Marsac  acts  as  befits  his  epoch  and  his  own  modest  yet  gallant  personality.  Well- 
known  historical  figures  emerge  in  telling  fashion  under  Mr.  Weyman's  discriminating  and 
fascinating  touch." — AiHENy»;uM. 

"  I  cannot  fancy  any  reader,  old  or  young,  not  sharing  with  doughty  Crillon  his  admiration 
for  M.  de  Marsac,  who,  though  no  swashbuckler,  ha',  a  sword  that  leaps  from  its  scabbard  at  the 
breath  of  insult.  .  .  .  There  are  several  historical  personages  in  the  novel ;  there  is,  of 
-ourse,  a  heroine,  of  great  beauty  and  enterprise;  but  that  true  'Gentleman  of  France,' 
M.  dr  Marsac,  with  his  perseverance  and  valor,  dominates  them  all." 

—Mr.  Jamf.s  Payn  in  the  Ii.lustratbd  London  News.  ' 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  IIFTH  AVE.,  NEW  YOEE. 


MY  LADY  ROTHA. 

A  ROMANCE  OF  THE  THIRTY  YEARS'  WAR. 
By  STANLEY  J.  WEYMAN. 

AXTTHOll  OF    "a   GKNTLI-MAN    OF    FRANCE,"    "UNDER    THK    RED   ROBE," 
"TUB    HOUSE   OF  THE   WOLF." 


With  Eight  Illustrations.    Crown  8vo,  $1.25. 


"  Few  writers  of  fiction  who  have  appeared  in  England  in  the  last  decade  have  given 
thfir  readers  more  satisfaction  than  Mr.  Siaiiley  J.  Weyman,  and  no  single  writer  of  this 
number  can  be  said  to  have  approached  him,  much  less  to  have  equaled  him  in  the  romantic 
world  of  the  historical  novel  ...  he  has  the  art  of  stor>'-telling  in  the  highest  degree, 
the  art  which  instinctively  divines  the  secret,  the  soul  of  the  story  which  he  tells,  and  the 
rarer  art,  if  it  be  not  the  arllessiiess,  which  makes  it  as  real  and  as  inevitable  as  life  itself. 
His  characters  are  alive,  humai),  unforgetable,  resembling  in  this  'espect  those  of  Thackeray 
in  historical  lines  and  in  a  measure  those  of  Dumas,  with  whom,  and  not  inaptly,  Mr.  Wey- 
man has  been  compared.  His  literature  is  good,  so  good  that  we  accept  it  as  a  matter  of 
course,  as  we  do  that  of  Thackeray  and  Scott.  .  .  .  Mr.  Weyman's  historical  novels 
will  live.'' — New  V'ork  Mail  and  Exi'Rkss. 

"...  differs  signally  from  Mr.  Weyman's  earlier  published  works.  It  is  treated 
with  the  minuteness  and  lovingness  of  a  first  story  which  has  grown  up  in  the  mind  of  the 
author  for  years.  .  .  .  Marie  Wort  is  one  of  the  bravest  souls  that  ever  mov-d  quietly 
along  the  pages  of  a  novel.  She  is  so  unlike  the  other  feminine  characters  whom  Weyman 
has  drawn  that  the  difTcrence  is  striking  and  adds  significance  to  this  one  book.  .  .  . 
•  My  Lady  Rotha  '  is  full  of  f.iscinating  interest,  all  the  more  remarkable  in  a  work  adhering 
so  strictly  to  historical  truth.'' — Evening  Post,  Chicago. 

"This  ia-st  book  of  his  is  brimful  of  action,  rushing  forward  with  a  roar,  leaving  the 
reader  breathless  at  the  close;  for  if  once  begun  there  is  no  stopping  place.  The  concep- 
tion is  unique  and  striking,  and  the  culmination  unexpected.  The  author  is  so  saturated 
with  the  spirit  of  the  times  of  which  he  writes,  that  he  rnerges  his  personality  in  that  of  the 
supposititious  narrator,  and  the  virtues  and  failings  of  his  mtrn  andwomen  are  set  forth  in  a 
fashion  which  is  captivating  from  its  very  simplicity.     It  is  one  of  his  best  novels." 

— Public  Opinion. 

*'  Readers  of  Mr.  Weyman's  novels  will  h  ave  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  his  just  pub- 
lished 'My  Lady  Rotha'  in  everyway  his  greatest  and  most  artistic  production.  We 
know  of  nothing  more  fit,  both  in  conception  and  execution,  to  be  classed  with  the  immortal 
Wiverleys  than  this  his  latest  work.  ...  A  story  true  to  life  and  true  to  the  times 
which  Mr.  Weyman  has  made  such  a  careful  study."    —The  Advertisek,  Boston. 

"  No  one  of  Mr.  Weyman's  books  is  better  than  '  My  Lady  Rotha  '  unless  it  be  '  TTndrr 
the  Red  Robe,'  and  those  who  have  learned  to  like  his  stories  of  the  old  days  when  might 
made  rijht  will  appreciate  it  thoroughly.     It  is  a  good  book  to  rend  ami  reail  again." 

— New  Vouk  Wokld. 

"...  As  good  a  tale  of  adventure  as  any  one  need  ask  ;  the  picture  of  those  war- 
like times  is  an  excellent  one,  full  of  life  and  color,  the  blare  of  trumpets  and  the  flish  of 
steel  -and  toward  the  close  the  description  of  the  besieged  city  of  Nuremberg  and  of  the 
battle  under  Wallenstein's  entrenchments  is  masterly." — Boston  Traveller. 

"The  loveliest  and  most  admirable  charac'er  in  the  story  is  that  of  a  ynung  Catholic  girl, 
while  in  painting  the  cruelties  and  savage  barbarities  of  war  at  that  period  the  brush  is  held 
by  an  impartial  hand.  15ooks  of  adventure  and  romance  are  apt  to  be  cheap  and  sensational. 
Mr.  Weyman's  stories  are  worth  tons  of  such  stuff.  They  are  thrilling,  exciting,  ab.^orl'ing, 
intere-iiing,  and  yet  clear,  strong,  and  healthy  in  tone,  written  by  a  gentleman  and  a  man  ol 
scn-e  and  taste." — Sacked  Heart  Rkvirw,  Huston. 

"  Mr.  Wryman  has  outdone  himself  in  this  remarkabl-!  hook.  .  .  .  The  whole  story 
U  told  with  consummate  skill.  The  plot  is  artistically  devised  ami  enrolled  Ijefore  the  read- 
er's eyes.  'l"he  language  is  simple  and  apt,  and  the  descriptions  are  cr.Tphic  and  terse.  T  he 
charm  of  the  story  takes  hold  of  the  reader  on  the  very  first  page,  and  holds  him  spell-bound 
to  the  very  end." — New  Oklka:.s  I'icayinp. 


LONGMAITS,  GEEEN,  &  00.,  91-93  riETH  AYE.,  ITEW  TOEK. 


UNDER    THE    RED    ROBE. 

A    ROMANCE. 
By  STANLEY  J.  WEYMAN, 

AUTHOR  OF  "a  gentleman  OF  FRANCE,"  "THE  HOUSE  OF  THE  WOLF,"  ETC. 


With    12  Full-page   Illustrations  by  R.  Caton  Woodville. 
1  2mo,  Llneh   Cloth.  Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"Mr.  Weyinan  is  a  hrave  writer,  who  imapines  fine  things  and  describes  them 
Fplendidly.  T ht^-re  Is  soniclliinK  to  interest  a  healthy  mind  on  every  paije  of  his  new 
siory.  Its  interest  never  Hags,  for  his  resource  is  rich,  and  it  is,  moreover,  the  kind  of 
a  story  that  one  cannot  plainly  see  the  end  of  from  Chapter  I.  .  .  .  the  story  reveals 
a  knowledge  of  French  character  and  French  landscape  that  was  snrely  never  ac- 
quired at  second  hand.  The  beginning  is  wonderfully  interesting."— Nkw  York  Ti.mks. 

"  As  perfect  a  novel  of  the  new  school  of  fiction  as  '  Ivanhoe  '  or  '  Henry  Esmond  ' 
was  of  theirs.  Each  later  story  has  shown  a  marked  advance  in^strength  and  treat- 
ment, and  in  the  last  Mr.  VVeyman  .  .  .  demonstrates  that  he  has  no  superior 
among  living  novelists.  .  .  .  There  are  but  two  characters  in  the  story— his  art 
makes  all  other  but  unnoticed  sliadovvs  cast  by  them — and  the  attention  is  so  keenly 
Sxeil  upon  one  or  both,  from  the  first  word  to  the  last,  that  we  live  in  their  thoughts 
and  see  the  drama  unfolded  through  their  eyes." — N.  Y.  World. 

"  It  was  bold  to  take  Richelieu  and  his  time  as  a  subject  and  thus  to  challenge  com- 
parison with  Dumas's  immortal  musketeers;  but  the  result  justifies  the  boldness.  .  .  . 
The  plot  is  admirably  clear  and  strong,  the  diction  singularly  concise  and  telling,  and 
the  stirring  events  are  so  managed  as  not  to  degenerate  into  sensationalism.  Few 
better  novels  of  adventure  than  this  have  ever  been  written." — Outlook,  New  York. 

"  A  wonderfully  brilliant  and  thrilling  romance.  .  .  .  Mr.  Weyman  has  a  positiv»> 
talent  for  concise  ciramatic  narration.  Every  phrase  tells,  and  the  characters  stanc 
out  with  life-like  distinctness.  Some  of  the  most  fascinating  epochs  in  French  history 
have  been  splendidly  illuminated  by  his  novels,  which  are  to  be  reckoned  among  the 
notable  successes  of  later  nineteenth-century  fiction.  This  story  of '  Under  the  Red 
Robe'  is  in  its  way  one  of  the  very  best  things  he  has  done.  It  is  illustrated  with 
vigor  and  appropriateness  from  twelve  full-page  designs  by  R.  Caton  Woodville." 

— Boston  Beacon. 

"  It  is  a  skillfully  drawn  picture  of  the  times,  drawn  in  simple  and  transparent 
English,  and  quivering  with  tense  human  feeling  from  the  first  word  to  the  last.  It  is 
not  a  book  that  can  be  laid  down  at  the  middle  of  it.  The  reader  once  caught  in  its 
whirl  can  no  more  escape  from  it  than  a  ship  from  the  maelstrom." 

—Picayune,  New  Orleans. 

"The  'red  robe'  refers  to  Cardinal  Richelieu,  in  whose  day  the  story  is  laid. 
The  descriptions  of  his  court,  his  judicial  machinations  and  ministrations,  his  partial 
defeat,  stand  out  from  the  book  as  vivid  as  tlame  against  a  background  of  snow.  For 
the  rest,  the  book  is  clever  and  interesting,  ana  overflowing  with  heroic  incident. 
Stanley  Weyman  is  an  author  who  has  apparently  come  to  stay." — Chicago  Post. 

"  In  this  story  Mr.  Weyman  returns  to  the  scene  of  his  '  Gentleman  of  France,' 
although  his  new  heroes  are  of  different  mould.  The  book  is  full  of  adventure  and 
characterized  by  a  deeper  study  of  character  than  its  predecessor." 

— Washington  Post. 

"Mr.  Weyman  has  quite  topped  his  first  success.  .  .  .  The  author  artfully 
pursues  the  line  on  which  his  happy  initial  venture  was  laid.  We  have  in  Berault,  the 
Iiero,  a  more  impressive  Marsac ;  an  accomplished  duelist,  telling  the  tale  of  his  own 
adventures,  he  first  repels  and  finally  attracts  us.  He  is  at  once  the  tool  of  Richelieu, 
and  a  man  of  honor.  Here  is  a  noteworthy  ro:nance,  full  of  thrilling  incident  set  down 
by  a  master-hand." — Philadelphia  Press. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN.  &  CO.,  91-93  TirTE  AVE.,  NEW  YOEE. 


FROM  THE  MEMOIRS 
OF  A   MINISTER  OF  FRANCE. 

Br  STANLEY  J.  WEYMAN, 

AUTHOR  OF  "A  GENTLEMAN  OF  FRANCE,"  "UNDER  THE  RED  ROBE,"  ETC.,  ETC. 

With    36    Illustrations,   of   which    15   are  full-page. 
12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 

"A  collection  of  twelve  tales,  each  one  of  which  is  to  be  classed  as  a  masterpiece 
so  subtle  and  strong  is  it  ni  the  isvelation  of  character,  so  impressive  its  portrayal" 
,1  "u'"';f-  and  the  scenes  with  which  it  deals.  ...  Mr.  Weyman  has  produced 
a  really  brilliant  book,  one  that  will  appeal  alike  to  the  lovers  of  literature  of  adven- 
ture, and  to  those  who  demand  in  fiction  the  higher  intellectual  quality.  The 
chances  are  that  those  who  take  it  up  will  not  put  it  down  again  with  a  pace  or  even 
a  line  unread."— Boston  Beacon. 

,  ,."  7°  ■'^'''1, 1'lese  merry  tales  of  adventure  and  to  lose  all  sense,  for  the  moment 
of  life  s  complexities    is  a  refreshment ;    it  is  to  drink  again  at  tlie  pure  sprine  of 
romance  .     Weyman     .     .     .     has  caught  more  of  the  inner  spirit  of  sixteenth 

century  life  than  anj  romancer  since  Scott."— Oregonian,  Portland,  Ore. 

"These  briefer  tales  have  all  the  charm  and  attractiveness  that  attach  to  their 
author  s  longer  romances,  and  many  of  the  leading  characters  of  the  latter  figure  in 
them.  He  catches  the  attention  of  the  reader  at  the  very  outset  and  holds  it  to  the  end  • 
while  his  skill  as  a  story-teller  IS  so  great  that  his  characters  become  real  beings  to  us' 
and  the  scenes  which  he  describes  seem  actual  and  present  occurrences  as  he  narrated 
them.  —Sacred  Heart  Review,  Boston. 

"  The  form  given  to  this  series  of  brilliant  stories  is  that  of  personal  narrative,  and 
the  effect  is  heightened  by  constant  allusions  to  things  purporting  to  have  been  told 
elsewhere.  .  .  .  There  are  three  points  which  lift  this  book  above  the  level  of  ordi- 
nary fiction  founded  on  history  :  There  is,  as  we  have  said,  the  likeness  of  the  king, 
there  is  the  self-drawn  picture  of  Sully,  and  there  is  the  admirable  local  coloring  of  the 
ti^me,  and  these  three  disclose  the  power  and  fidelity  of  Mr.  Weyman's  studies  of 
F"rench  history  at  a  time  full  of  interest  and  replete  with  stirring  incident.  We  regard 
this  as  quite  equal  to  anything  we  have  seen  of  Mr.  Weyman's  spirited  and  clever 
work."— The  Churchman,  N.  Y. 

"They  are  told  with  a  dash  and  spirit  that  set  the  blood  tingling,  and  lure  the 
reader  avi'ay  from  dull  decadence  to  days  of  gallantry  and  duels,  of  passion  and  dark 
intrigue."— The  Boston  Transcript. 

"  In  the  line  of  what  may  be  called  historical  romance  Mr.  Weyman  stands  alone 
amont^  living  writers.  .  .  .  The  ingenuity  and  fertility  of  Mr.  Weyman's  mind, 
coupled  with  his  admirable  charm  in  story-telling,  have  made  this  collection  an 
excellent  companion  to  those  other  familiar  talcs  of  French  romance  which  preceded 
it.  For  they  are  tales  pure  and  simple,  combining  all  the  charms  of  the  story-teller 
who  knows  when  he  has  exhausted  his  subject  and  has  the  good  art  to  stop.  Twelve 
stories  are  comprised  in  the  volume,  good  stories  all  of  them,  and  capitally  told.  A 
clever  old  man  was  Mr.  Weyman's  minister  of  France,  and  many  a  good  time  he  and 
King  Henry  had  together  when  they  went  out  searching  for  adventure." 

— Chicago  Evening  Post. 

"These  .short  stories  of  the  time  of  Henry  IV.  have  all  the  charm  which  have 
made  the  author's  romances  so  popular.  In  most  of  them  the  king  is  the  central 
figure,  and  many  of  the  noble  traits  of  character  which  endeared  him  to  his  generation 
are  skillfully  depicted.     No  one  can  fail  to  be  entertained  with  these  tales." 

—The  Living  Church. 

"These  chapters  display  inventive  powers  of  a  high  order,  and  show  theirauthor's 
remarkable  insight  into  his  chosen  period  of  history.  Each  of  them  is  a  storj- com- 
plete in  itself,  yet  the  character  of  the  great  minister  links  them  together  into  one  chain. 
They  are  more  than  interesting ;  they  are  true  to  the  essential  facts  of  history,  with- 
out lor  a  moment  becoming  dull  or  pedantic."— The  Dial,  Chicago. 


LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &  00.,  91-93  FIFTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YOEE. 


"CAN  THIS   BE   LOVE?" 

A    NOVEL. 

By  Mrs.  PARK, 

AUTHOR  OF  "DOROTHY  FOX,"  "ADAM  AND  EVR,"  ETC. 


With    Frontispiece  and   Vignette  by   Charles   Kerr. 
12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  A  wholesome  tnle.  .  .  .  It  is  a  pleasant  story,  deliglitfully  told,  and  with  a  whole- 
some English  atmosphere." — I'.ooK  Bl'VER,  N.  Y. 

"  This  is  a  story  that  will  repay  the  time  spent  over  it.  Mrs.  Parr  is  a  strong  and  inter- 
esting writer.  Her  characters  are  live  characters,  and  the  incidents  tlirough  which  they 
move  are  natural  and  realistic.  Her  present  story  is  throughout  an  rxceptionally  interesting 
one,  and  the  reader  will  find  his  interest  in  it  kept  up  to  tne  end.  Ii  is  handsomely  printed 
on  good  paper." — Christian  at  Work,  N.  Y. 

"The  touches  ot  humor  .  .  .  are  pleasant:  the  descriptions  of  scenery  are  charm- 
ing ;  the  plot  is  well  and  artistically  planned  and  executed  ;  but,  best  of  all,  the  whole  tone  of 
the  book  is  pure  and  free  from  morbidness,  and  one  can  read  it  from  cover  to  cover  without 
finding  the  taint  of  vulgarity  and  super-emotionalism  (to  call  it  by  the  most  polite  name) 
which  degrades  so  much  of  modern  fiction." — Literary  World,  Boston. 

"  It  is  a  love  story  of  more  than  usual  interest  and  is  well  worth  reading.  _.  .  .  The 
three  principal  persons  in  the  book  are  fine  character  studies,  and  the  story  is  strong  and 
interesting." — Advertiser,  Portland,  Me. 

"  Mrs.  Parr  has  given  us  an  altogether  charming  boolt." — Traveller,  Boston. 

•' One  of  the  diintiest,  most  hiimelike  and  natural  stories  of  the  week  .  .  .  the  girl 
is  a  downright,  genuine,  substantial  girl,  like  the  girls  we  know  in  the  world  and  love." 

— CoMMHKClAL  Gazette,  Cincinnati. 


THE  HOUSE  OF  THE  WOLF. 

A   ROMANCE. 
By  STANLEY  J.   WE Y MAN, 

AtTTHOR   OF   "  A   GENTLEMAN   OF  FRANCE,"   ETC. 


With    Frontispiece  and  Vignette   by   Charles  Kerr. 
12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  A  delightful  volume  .  .  .  one  of  the  brightest,  briskest  tales  I  have  met  with  for  a 
long  time.  Dealing  with  the  Eve  of  St.  Bartholomew  it  portrays  that  night  of  horror  from  a 
point  entirely  new,  and,  we  may  add,  relieves  the  gloom  by  many  a  flash  and  gleam  of  sun 
shine.  Best  of  all  is  the  conception  of  the  VidSme.  His  character  alone  would  make  the 
book  live."— Critic,  N.  Y. 

"  Recounted  as  l.y  an  eye  witness  in  a  forceful  way  with  a  rapid  and  graphic  style  that 
commands  interest  and  admiration. 

Of  the  half  dozen  stories  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Eve  which  we  have  read  this  ranks  first 
in  vividness,  delicacy  of  perception,  reserve  power,  and  high  principle." 

— Christian  Union,  N.  Y. 

"  A  romance  which,  although  short,  deserves  a  place  in  literature  along  side  of  Charles 
Reade's  '  Cloister  ani  the  Hearth.'  ...  We  have  given  Mr.  Weyman's  book  not  only 
a  thorough  reading  with  great  interest,  but  also  a  more  than  usual  amount  of  spare  because 
we  consider  it  one  of  the  best  examples  in  recent  fiction  of  how  thrilling  ami  even  bloody 
adventures  and  scents  may  be  descril)ed  in  a  style  that  is  graphic  and  true  to  detail,  and  yet 
delicate,  quaint,  and  free  from  all  coarseness  and  brutality." 

— COMMBRCLAL  ADVERTISER,    N.  V. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN.  &  CO.,  91-93  FIFTH  AVE.,  NEW  YOEK. 


OLD    MR.  TREDGOLD. 

A  STORY    OF    TWO    SISTERS. 
By  Mrs.  M.  O.  W.  OLIPHANT, 


Crown  8vo,  Buckram  Cloth,  $1.50. 


"  Not  many  novelists  have  written  so  much  and  so  well  as  Mrs.  Oliphant.  Her 
present  novel  shows  her  at  lier  best.  The  character-drawing  is  first  rate,  and  the 
story  as  a  story  is  full  of  interest."— Publishers'  Circular. 

"  When  we  open  one  of  Mrs.  M.  O.  W.  Oliphant's  books  we  know  that  we  shall 
find  a  clean,  wholesome,  vivid  story,  generally  ofa  domestic  character.  Such  a  charac- 
ter is  '  Old  Mr.  Tredgold.' 

The  book  is  one  that  can  be  best  enjoyed  in  a  cozy  room,  on  a  winter's  evenirig, 
with  no  one  to  hustle  you  to  bed  prematurely  or  to  break  in  upon  your  pleasure  with 
irrelevant  talk."— Commercial  Advertiser,  N.  Y. 

"  An  extremelv  clever  and  consistent  picture  of  a  spoiled  and  willful  girl,  devoted 
to  hersell  and  to  nobody  else,  and  who,  to  the  reader's  possible  dissatisfaction,  has  not 
meted  out  to  her  poetic  justice.    The  story  is  readable  in  every  respect." 

— S.  F.  Chronicle. 

"  Again  does  Mrs.  Oliphant  show  her  remarkable  skill  in  character  painting." 

— Beacon,  Boston. 

"  A  wholesome  tale  of  true  lives  and  true  loves,  and  the  persons  who  act  their 
parts  are  close  kindred  to  ourselves."— Sun,  Balti.more. 

"  Mrs.  Oliphant  has  as  many  American  readers  and  admirers  as  she  has  English, 
and  they  will  welcome  '  Old  Mr.  Tredgold '  from  her  pen.  .  .  .  This  new  work 
has  all  the  characteristics  of  her  earlier  novels,  and  will  be  read  with  pleasure." 

— Commercial  Gazette,  Cincinnati. 


THE  MATCHMAKER. 

A  NOVEL. 

By   MRS.    L.    B.  WALFORD. 


Crown  8vo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.50. 

"  Sure  to  find  a  large  circle  of  refined  and  intelligent  readers.  The  story  is  con- 
stantly lighted  up  with  touches  of  humor,  and  the  picture  of  simple  family  life  and  the 
feminine  occupations  it  affords  is  natural  and  entertaining."— Beacon,  Boston. 

"  It  will  be  found  one  of  the  most  delightful  of  its  author's  works."— New  York 
Tribune. 

*    ...    A  well-told,  entertaining  story  of  interesting  people." 

— Detroit  Free  Press. 

"...  A  fresh  and  interesting  picture  of  life  in  a  Scottish  castle,  and  intro- 
duces many  characters  notable  for  the  faithfulness  to  nature  with  which  they  are 
drawn.  The  incidents  are  interesting  enough  to  fix  Ihe  attention  of  the  reader  and  to 
hold  it  until  the  closing  chapter."— The  Advertiser,  Portland. 

"  Emphatically  a  good  novel."— Public  Opinion. 

"  Tells  what  befell  a  gay  London  girl  during  her  six  months'  sojourn  in  the  Scotch 
cnstle  of  some  old  fashioned  relatives.  .  .  .  The  story  is  a  good  one,  much  the  best 
of  it  being  the  delineation  of  the  stiff-necked  Carnoustie  family,  and  its  magisterial 
dowager  and  its  pathetic  and  comical  old  maids." — Boston  Traveller. 

LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  00.,  91-93  FIFTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK. 


A  MONK  OF  FIFE. 

A    ROMANCE    OF   THE    DAYS    OF   JEANNE    D'ARC. 
Done  into  English  from  the  manuscript  in  the  Scots  College  of  Ratisboo 

By  ANDREW   LANG. 


With  Frontispiece.     12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  GrantiiiK  that  Norman  Leslie  was  no  myth,  and  was  truly  admonished  by  his 
superior  to  set  down  these  facts  in  writing,  and  with  all  reverence  for  this  clever  monk, 
who  kept  such  an  excellent  account  of  the  exciting  scenes  he  witnessed  in  his  youth, 
we  must  believe  that  the  delightful  charm  which  pervades  this  quaintly  pathetic  tale 
is  due  to  no  one  as  much  as  to  Mr.  Lang.  The  Maid  of  Orleans  takes  a  clearer, 
sweeter  identitv  for  his  telling,  and  the  reader  must  insist  upon  feeling  indebted  to 
this  incomparable  writer  for  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  touching  romances  given 
to  the  world  for  many  a  long  day."— Chicago  Evening  Post. 

"Mr.  Lang's  portrait  of  the  Maid  is  a  beautiful  one.  He  does  not  etherealize 
lier  unduly — indeed  he  rather  insists  on  her  most  human  characteristics;  and  his 
portrait  gains  in  lifelikeiiess  from  the  skill  with  which  he  has  woven  into  the  story  of 
lier  career  as  an  inspired  prophet  and  leader,  little  incidents  showing  her  as  the  simple- 
hearted  girl.  The  hero  is  supposed  to  be  one  of  her  body-guard,  and  his  sweetheart 
one  of  her  near  friends.  Although  the  Maid  is  really  the  central  figure,  the  story  of 
the  lovers  and  the  dangers  of  the  hero  and  the  herviine  is  so  skillfully  woven  in  that 
the  book  is  nothing  like  a  history  of  France  at  the  time,  but  is  a  real  romance;  and 
because  it  is  a  real  romance  lets  us  into  the  spirit  of  the  time  better  than  any  history 
that  ever  was  or  could  be  written.  It  is  dangerous  to  prophesy  just  after  the  reading 
of  any  novel,  but  it  seems  to  us  that  this  is  one  of  the  novels  that  ought  to  live,  at 
least  for  a  generation  or  two."— Colorado  Springs  Gazette. 

"Avery  charming  tale  of  the  days  of  Joan  of  Arc,  his  leading  characters  being 
chosen  from  the  band  of  Scotchmen  who  went  to  France  and  participated  in  the 
stirring  campaign  under  the  leadership  of  the  Maid  of  Orleans  which  rescued  France 
from  the  English.  The  many  readers  and  students  who  are  just  now  attracted  by  the 
revival  of  interest  in  the  character  and  achievements  of  Jeanne  D'Arc  should  by  all 
means  read  Mr.  Lang's  romance."— Review  of  Reviews,  N.  Y. 

"  The  story  is  admirably  told  in  a  style  which  reminds  one  of  Stevenson's  best 
work  in  historical  fiction." — Boston  Traveler. 

"  A  brilliant,  vivid,  dramatic,  and  historically  consistent  depiction  of  the  career  of 
that  wonderful  maiden  Joan  of  Arc  is  presented  by  Andrew  Lang  in  his  skillfully 
wrought,  close-textured,  and  adventurous  romance  called 'A  Monk  of  Fife.'  ...  It 
has  from  beginning  to  end  a  lifelike  coloring  that  the  sympathetic  reader  will  find 
nothing  less  than  enthralling."— Boston  Beacon. 

"  Mr.  Lang  has  made  a  most  pleasing  and  readable  romance,  full  of  love  and 
fighting  adventures  and  exciting  episodes.  There  is  a  quaintness  about  the  recital  in 
keeping  with  the  period  and  which  is  an  added  charm.  The  stor>'  of  Joan  of  Arc  has 
been  many  times  told,  but  never  any  more  interestingly  than  in  this  book." 

— Boston  Times. 

"  A  delightful  romance.  .  .  .  Mr.  Lang  has  made  admirable  use  of  his  material 
and  has  given  us  a  quaint  and  stirring  tale  that  is  well  worth  reading." 

— Brooklyn  Eagle. 

"  A  picture,  rich  in  detail,  of  the  days  of  the  Maid  of  Orleans;  and  it  is  abundantly 
clear  that  the  picture  is  drawn  by  one  who  knows  the  period,  not  only  in  its  dr>', 
prosaic  sequence  of  battles  and  marches,  but  in  the  spirit  and  the  speech  of  the  time 
.  .  .  a  love  storv  hardly  less  graceful  and  delicate  than'that  of  Aucassin  and  Nico- 
lete;  .  .  .  the  book  will  be  well  worth  reading  as  pure  romance,  by  turns  idyllic 
and  epic,  and  that  it  has  as  well  a  distinct  value  from  its  careful  presentation  of  a 
period  so  confusing  to  the  novice  in  history." — Critic,  N.  Y. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  FIPTH  AYENTJE,  NEW  YORK. 


flotsam:. 

THE    STUDY    OF   A    LIFE. 

By  henry  SETON  MERRIMAN, 


with    Frontispiece   and   Vignette   by    H.   G.   MASSEY. 
12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  The  scene  of  this  thoroughly  interesting  book  is  laid  at  the  time  of  the  great 
Indian  mutiny  of  1S57,  and  the  chapters  devoted  to  that  terrible  episode  in  the  history 
of  EJiglish  rule  in  India  are  among  the  most  interesting  in  the  volume,  the  capture  of 
Delhi  in  particular  being  graphically  described." — Herald,  Oneonta,  N.  Y. 

"  It  is  a  powerful  study."— Cincinnati  Com.mercial  Gazette. 

"  One  of  the  strongest  novels  of  the  season." — Boston  Advertiser. 

"It  is  decidedly  a  novel  worth  reading."— New  England  Magazine. 

"...  From  first  to  last  our  interest  in  the  dramatic  development  of  the  plot  is 
never  allowed  to  flag.  '  Flotsam '  will  amply  sustain  the  reputation  which  Mr. 
Merriman  has  won." — Charleston  News  and  Courier. 

"  It  is  a  rather  stirring  story,  dealing  with  breezy  adventures  in  the  far  East,  and 
sketching  in  strong  outlines  some  very  engaging  phases  of  romance  in  India  not  down 
in  Mr.  Kipling's  note-books."— Independent,  New  York. 

"  It  is  a  novel  of  strong,  direct,  earnest  purpose,  which  begins  well  in  a  literary 
sense  and  ends  better."— Sun,  Baltimore. 

"  A  brilliant  gift  for  characterization  and  dramatic  effect  put  his  novels  among 
the  best  of  the  season  for  entertainment,  and,  to  no  small  extent,  for  instruction." 

—Dial,  Chicago. 

"  Mr.  Merriman  can  write  a  good  story  ;  he  proved  that  in  '  The  Sowers,'  and  he 
shows  it  anew  in  this.  .  .  .  The  story  is  a  strong  one  and  told  with  freshness  and 
eimple  realism."— Current  Literature,  New  York. 

"  His  story  is  remarkably  well  told."— Herald,  Columbia,  Mo. 

"  It  is  a  novel  written  with  a  purpose,  yet  it  is  entirely  free  from  preaching  or 
moralizing.  The  young  man,  Harry  Wylam,  whose  career  from  childhood  to  the 
prime  of  manhood  is  described,  is  a  bright,  daring,  and  lovable  character,  who  starts 
with  every  promise  of  a  successful  life,  but  whose  weakness  of  will,  and  love  of 
pleasure,  wreck  his  bright  hopes  midway.  The  author  shows  unusual  skill  in  dealing 
with  a  subject  which  in  less  discreet  hands  might  have  been  an  excuse  for  morbidity." 

—Boston  Beacon. 

"  A  story  of  lively  and  romantic  incident.  .  .  .  His  story  is  remarkably  well 
told."— New  York  Sun. 

"  The  story  is  full  of  vigorous  action    .    .    .    and  interesting." 

— Public  Opinion. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  00.,  91-93  FIFTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YOEK. 


THE  VIOLET. 

A  Novel. 
By  JULIA    MAGRUDER, 

AUTHOR  OF  "  PRINCESS  SOMA,"  ETC. 


With   1  1   Illustrations  by  Charles  Dana  Gibson.    Crown  8vo, 
Cloth,  Ornamental,  Gilt  Top,  $  1 .25. 

"Julia  Magruder  has  made  a  very  pretty  story  of  '  The  Violet  '—a  story  with  just 
those  touches  of  graceful  sentiment  that  are  sure  to  gratify  the  girl  reader.  ...  It 
is  a  pleasure  to  come  upon  a  romance  so  pure  in  motive,  so  relmed  in  sentiment,  and 
so  delicate  in  manner  .  .  .  and  the  book  has  an  added  charm  iti  the  illustrations 
by  Charles  Dana  (Jibson,  who  seems  to  have  caught  the  spirit  of  tlie  text  to  a  nicely, 
and  to  have  interpreted  it  with  an  admirably  sympathetic  technique." 

—  Hkacon,  Boston. 

"Julia  Magruder  has  given  her  readers  a  charming  story  in  '  The  Violet ' — one  as 
sweet  and  simple  and  lovely  as  the  modest  flower  itself.  .  .  .  It  is  a  beautiful 
character  study,  breathing  forth  the  fragrance  of  womanly  sweetness  in  every  phrase. 
The  illustrations  by  Gibson  are  apt,  and  the  binding  and  make-up  of  the  book  appro- 
priately attractive."— TiMiiS,  Boston. 

"Is  a  good,  wholesome  love  story.  The  plot  is  natural  and  the  characters  real. 
.  .  .  '  The  Violet '  is  a  study  which  the  reader  may  wish  could  have  been  pro- 
longed."—Eagle,  Brooklyn. 

"A  story  altogether  as  beautiful  and  inspiring  as  its  name  •  .  .  one  of  the 
most  charming  books  of  the  season,  as  it  is  an  old  fashioned  story  with  a  delicious  bit 
of  mystery  interwoven  with  the  romance  of  a  young  heroine  who,  though  poor,  pos- 
sesses every  grace  and  accomplishment." — Courikr,  Boston. 

"  It  is  a  pure,  sweet  story,  with  a  fragrance  as  of  violets  clinging  to  it,  and  it  de- 
lightfully sets  forth  the  attributes  of  true  manhood  and  true  womanhood." 

—Home  Journal,  N.  Y. 


DOREEN. 

The  Story  of  a  Singer. 
By   EDNA   LYALL, 

AUTHOR  OF  "WB  TWO,"  "DONOVAN,"  "THE  AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  A  SLANDER,"  "  IN 

THE  GOLDEN  DAYS,"  ETC.,  ETC. 


Crown  8vo,  Buckram  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $  1 .50. 

*' A  plot  which  has  original  life  and  vigor.  .  .  .  Altogether  a  good  novel,  and 
if  the  author  had  written  nothing  else  she  could  safely  rest  her  literary  reputation  on 
'  Doreen.'  "—Public  Opinion,  N.  Y. 

"  Edna  Lyall's  .  .  .  new  story  .  .  .  is  one  of  her  best.  It  has,  naturally, 
enough  of  tragedv  to  make  it  intensely  interesting  without  being  sensational  in  any 
offensive  sense.  The  heroine,  Doreen,  is  a  delightful  character,  sturdy,  strong,  lovable, 
womanly,  and  genuinely  Irish.  Miss  Bayly  is  a  conscientious  writer,  imbued  with 
deep  feeling,  a  high  purpose,  and  her  style  is  attractive  and  pure." 

—Boston  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  It  is  a  very  clever  story  indeed,  and  skillfully  written." 

—New  Orleans  Picayune. 

"This  is  perhaps  oneof  the  best  of  Edna  Lyall's  clever  stories.  Doreen  is  a  young 
Irish  girl,  who  loves  her  native  land,  and  who  is  a  credit  to  her  race.  .  .  .  Inter- 
woven with  the  story  of  her  experience  and  of  her  love  for  a  young  Englishman  is  an 
interesting  account  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Home  Rule  movement.  Miss  Lyall's 
book  IS  a  charming  tale,  and  will  not  fail  to  delight  every  one  who  reads  it.  The  girl 
Doreen  is  a  beautiful  character."— Catholic  News. 


LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &  00.,  91-93  FIPTH  AVE.,  NEW  YOEK. 


WHAT  NECESSITY  KNOWS. 

A  Novel  of  Canadian  Life  and  Character. 


By  MISS   L.    DOUGALL, 

AUTHOR   OF   "  BEGGARS   ALU" 


Crown  8vo,  Cloth,  $1.00. 

••  A  very  remarkable  novel,  and  not  a  book  that  can  be  lightly  classified  or  ranged  with 
Other  modern  works  of  fiction.  .  .  .  It  is  a  distinct  creation  ...  a  structure  o< 
Uot>le  and  original  design  and  of  grand  and  dignified  conception.  .  .  .  The  book  bristles 
with  epigrammatic  sayings  which  one  would  like  to  remember.  ...  It  will  appeal 
itrongly  by  force  of  its  originality  and  depth  of  insight  and  for  ihe  eloquence  and  dignity  of 
style  in  the  descriptive  passages." — Manchkster  Guardian,  London. 

"  We  think  we  are  well  within  the  mark  in  saying  that  this  novel  is  one  of  the  three  or 
four  best  novels  of  the  year.  The  social  atmosphere  as  well  as  the  external  conditions  g< 
Canadian  life  are  reproduced  faithfully.  The  author  is  eminently  thoughtful,  yet  the  story 
is  not  distinctively  one  of  moral  purpose.  The  play  of  character  aiid  the  clash  of  purpose  are 
finely  wrought  out.  .  .  .  What  gives  the  book  its  highest  value  is  really  the  author's 
deep  knowledge  of  motive  and  character.  The  reader  continually  conies  across  keen  obser- 
vations «nd  subtle  expressions  that  not  infrequently  recall  George  Eliot.  The  novel  is  ono 
that  is  worth  reading  a  second  time."— Outlook,  New  York. 

"  Keen  analysis,  d-^eu  spiritual  insight,  and  a  quick  sense  of  beauty  in  nature  and 
human  nature  are  combined  to  put  before  us  a  drama  of  human  life  .  .  .  the  b(<3k  is  not 
only  interesting  but  stimulating,  not  only  strons;  but  suggestive,  and  we  may  say  of  the 
writer,  in  Sidney  Lanier's  wcrds,  'She  shows  man  what  he  may  be  in  terms  of  what  he  is,'* 

— Literary  World,  Boston. 

NADA    THE    LILY; 

By  h.  rider  haggard, 

Al/THOR     OP     "  SHa,"      "  ALLA.W     QUATERMAIN,"     ETC. 

With    23  full-page    Illustrations,   by   C.  H.  M.  Kerr. 
1  2mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental  (Copyright),  $  1  .OO. 

"  A  thril  ing  book  full  .  .  .  of  almost  incredible  instances  of  personal  darinff  and  of 
wonderful  revenge.  .  .  .  The  many  vigorous  illustrations  add  much  to  the  interest  of  a 
book  that  may  safely  be  denominated  as  Mr.  Haggard's  most  successful  venture  in  the 
writing  of  fiction." — Boston  Beacon. 

"  The  story  of  '  Nada  the  Lily '  is  full  of  action  and  adventure;  the  plot  is  cleverly 
■srrought  and  the  fighting  and  adventure  are  described  with  spirit.  Once  begun  it  is,  indeed, 
a  story  to  be  finished." — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

"The  story  is  a  magnificent  effort  of  the  imagination  and  quite  the  best  of  all  that  Mr. 
Haggard  has  done.  There  is  no  example  of  manufactured  miracle  in  this  story,  for  the  stor^' 
of  the  Ghost  mountain,  the  Stone  Witch,  and  the  Wolves  is  nothing  but  the  folk-lore  of  the 
African  tribes,  and  in  no  respect  similar  to  the  wonders  which  the  author  introduced  in'O 
the  stories  in  which  Allan  Quatermain  figures." — Springfield  Republican. 

"To  my  mind  the  realization  of  savage  existence  and  the  spirit  of  it  have  never  been  so 
honestly  and  accurately  set  forth.  The  Indians  of  Chateaubriand,  and  even  of  Cooper,  are 
conventional  compared  with  these  blood-thirsty,  loyal,  and  fatalistic  Zulus.  .  .  .  The 
whole  legend  seems  to  me  to  be  a  curiously  veracious  reproduction  of  Zulu  life  and  character." 

— Mr.  Andrew  Lang  in  the  New  Review. 

'*  Rider  Haggard's  latest  story  .  .  .  has  a  more  permanent  value  than  anything 
this  prolific  author  has  previously  given  to  the  public.  He  has  preserved  in  this  latest 
romance  many  of  the  curious  tales,  traditions,  superstitions,  the  wonderful  folk-lore  of  a 
n.Ation  now  extinct,  a  people  rapidly  melting  away  b'-fore  an  advancing  tide  <  f  civilization. 
T  tie  romance  into  which  Mr.  Hagf;ard  has  woven  valuable  material  is  in  his  own  inimitabio 
Style,  and  will  delight  those  who  love  the  weirdly  improbable."— Boston  Tbaveix£R. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  f  IPTH  AYE.,  NEW  TOEK. 


HEART   OF  THE   WORLD. 

A    STORY    OF    MEXICAN    ADVENTURE. 
By  H.  rider  haggard, 

AIITMOR  or   "SHB,"    "MONTEZUMA'S    DAUGHTRR,"    "  THB    rBOPLB   OF   THE   MIST,"    BTC. 


With   13  full-page  Illustrations  by  Amy  Sawyer. 
12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  The  adventures  of  Ignatio  and  his  white  friend  will  compare  for  strangeness  with  any 
that  the  writer  has  imagined.  And  the  invention  of  the  city  and  people  of  the  heart,  of  the 
secret  order,  with  its  ritual  and  history,  and  the  unforeseen  crisis  of  the  tale,  shows  that  the 
quality  that  most  distinguishes  the  author's  former  works  is  still  his  in  abundance.  .  .  . 
The  tale  as  a  whole  is  so  effective  that  we  willingly  overlook  its  improbability,  and  so  novel 
that  even  those  who  have  read  all  of  Rider  Haggard's  former  works  will  still  find  something 
surprising  in  this." — Thb  Critic. 

"  Here  are  strange  adventures  and  wonderful  heroisms.  The  scene  is  laid  in  Mexico. 
The  story  rehearses  the  adventures  of  an  athletic  Englishman  who  loves  and  weds  an 
Indian  princess.  There  are  marvelous  descriptions  of  the  '  City  of  the  Heart,'  a  mysteri- 
ous town  hemmed  in  by  swamps  and  unknown  mountains." 

— COMMEKCIAL   ADVERTISER,    NeW   YORK. 

"  Has  a  rare  fascination,  and  in  using  that  theme  Mr.  Haggard  has  not  only  hit  upon 
a  story  of  pecidiar  charm,  but  he  has  also  wrought  out  a  story  original  and  delightful  to 
even  the  most  jaded  reader  of  the  novel  of  incident." — Advertiser,  Boston. 

"It  is  a  fascinating  tale,  and  the  reader  will  not  want  to  put  the  book  down  till  he  has 
read  the  last  word." — Picayune,  New  Orleans. 

"The  lovers  of  Rider  Haggard's  glowing  works  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  his  latest 
book.  .  .  .  The  story  is,  all  in  all,  one  of  the  most  entertaining  of  the  author's  whole 
list." — Traveixkr,  Boston. 

"  In  its  splendor  of  description,  weirdness  of  imagery,  its  astonishing  variety  of  detail, 
and  the  love  story  which  blends  with  history  and  fantasy,  the  book  without  doubt  is  a 
creation  distinct  from  previous  tales.  Maya,  the  Lady  of  the  Heart,  is  an  ideal  character. 
.    .     .     Interest  is  sustained  throughout." — Post,  Chicago. 

"The  success  of  Mr.  Haggard's  stories  consi<;ts  in  the  spirit  of  adventure  which  runs 
through  them,  in  their  rapid  succession  of  incidents,  in  the  bustle  which  animates  their 
characters,  and  in  the  trying  situations  in  which  they  are  placed.  .  .  .  this  last  story 
.  .  .  introduces  his  readers  ...  to  a  comparatively  new  field  of  fiction  in  the  evolu- 
tion of  an  ancient  Aztec  tradition  concerning  the  concealed  existence  of  a  wonderful  Golden 
City.     .     .     ." — Mail  and  Express,  New  York. 

"A  thrilling  story  of  adventure  in  Mexico.  It  is  doubtful  if  he  has  surpassed  in  vivid 
coloring  his  delineation  of  the  character  of 'Maya.'  This  work  is  really  a  notable  addition 
to  the  great  body  of  romance  with  which  his  name  is  associated." — Press,  PHiLADELrHiA. 

"  This  romance  is  really  one  of  the  best  he  has  given  us." — Times,  Philadelfhia. 

"  When  the  love  of  romance  shall  die  in  the  human  heart  we  may  bid  farewell  to  all  that 
is  best  in  fiction.  ...  In  this  story  we  have  the  same  reckless  dash  of  imaginat'on  ami 
the  same  gorgeous  profusion  of  barbaric  scenes  and  startling  adventure  which  have  always 
characterized  Mr.  Haggard's  works."  — Independent,  New  Yokk. 

"  His  latest,  and  one  of  his  most  powerful  stories.  It  shows  the  same  trenchant,  effective 
way  of  dealing  with  his  story;  and  the  same  power  in  open,  startling  situations.  It  will 
give  the  reader  some  new  idea  of  that  ancient  people,  the  Aztecs,  as  well  as  of  the  more  mod- 
em Mexicans.     It  is  as  strong  as  '  King  Solomon's  Mines.'  " — Times,  Hartforu 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  riETH  AVE.,  NEW  YOKK. 


MONTEZUMA'S    DAUGHTER. 

By  H.  rider  haggard, 

AUTHOR    OF"SHB,"  "ALLAN   QUATHRMAIN,"  "  NADA   THB   UtY,"  ETC. 

With  24  full-pagre  Illustrations  and  Vignette  by  Maurice 
Greiffenhagen.      Crown  8vo,  Cloth,  $1.25. 

"Adventures  that  stir  the  reader's  blood  and,  like  magic  spells,  hold  his  attention  with 
power  so  strong  that  only  the  completion  of  the  novel  can  satisly  his  interesL  ...  In 
this  novel  the  motive  of  revenge  is  treated  with  a  subile  power  .  .  .  this  latest  production 
of  Mr.  liiggard  Ijicnds  with  the  iflstructiou  of  the  historical  novel  the  charm  of  a  splendid 
romance." — Public  Opinion. 

"Mr.  Haggard  has  done  nothing  better  .  .  .  it  may  well  be  doubted  if  he  has  ever 
done  anytliiiig  half  so  good.  The  tale  is  one  of  the  good,  old-fashioned  sort,  tilled  with  the 
elements  of  romance  and  adventure,  and  it  moves  on  from  one  thrilling  situation  to  another 
wiih  a  celerity  and  verisimilitude  that  positively  fascinate  the  reader.  .  .  .  The  story  is 
told  with  astonishing  variety  of  detail,  and  in  its  main  lines  keeps  close  to  historical  tiuth. 
The  author  has  evidently  written  with  enthusiasm  and  entire  love  of  his  theme,  and  the  result 
is  a  really  splendid  piece  of  romantic  literature.  The  illustrations,  by  Maurice  Greiffenhagen, 
are  admu-able  in  spirit  and  technique." — bobTON  Beacon. 

"  Has  a  good  deal  of  the  quality  that  lent  such  interest  to  'King  Solomon's  Mines'  and 
'Allan  Qiiatermain.'  .  .  .  England,  Spain,  and  the  country  which  is  now  Mexico  afford 
the  field  of  the  story,  and  a  great  number  of  most  romantic  and  blood-stirring  activities  occur 
in  each  ...  a  successful  story  well  constructed,  full  of  devious  and  exciting  action, 
»ad  we  believe  that  it  will  find  a  multitude  of  appreciative  readers." — Sun,  N.  Y, 

'  It  is  a  tale  of  adventure  and  romance,  with  a  fine  historical  setting  and  with  a  vivid 
reproduction  of  the  mauners  and  people  of  the  age.     The  plot  is  handlctl  with  dexterity  and 
skill,  and  the  reader's  interest  is  always  seen.     There  is,  it  should  also  be  noted,  nothing  like 
/ulgar  sensationalism  in  the  treatment,  and  the  literary  quality  is  sound  throughout. 
Among  the  very  best  stories  of  love,  war,  and  romance  tliat  have  been  written." 

— ^Thk  Outlook. 
"  Is  the  latest  and  best  of  that  popular  writer's  works  of  fiction.  It  enters  a  new 
field  not  before  touched  by  previous  tales  from  the  same  author.  In  its  splendor  of  desciip- 
lion,  weirdness  of  imagery,  and  wealth  of  startling  incidents  it  rivals  '  King  Solomon's  Mines ' 
and  other  earlier  stories,  but  shows  superior  strength  in  many  respects,  and  presents  novelty 
of  -.tene  that  must  win  new  and  more  enduring  fame  for  its  talented  creator.  .  .  .  '1  he 
analysis  of  human  motives  and  emotions  is  more  subtle  in  this  work  than  in  any  previous 
production  by  Mr.  Haggard.  The  story  will  generally  be  accorded  highest  literary  rank 
among  the  author's  works,  and  will  prove  of  fascinating  interest  to  a  host  of  readers." 

— MiNNKAPOUS    SpECTATOK. 

"  Is  full  of  the  magnificence  of  the  Axtec  reign,  and  is  quite  as  romantic  and  uubelievabl* 
as  the  most  I'antastic  of  his  earlier  creations." — Book  Buvkk. 

"  We  should  be  disf.osed  to  rank  this  volume  next  to  'King  Solomon's  Mines'  in  order 
of  interest  and  merit  among  the  author's  works." — Lii  krarv  Woi^ld,  Boston. 

"  It  is  decidedly  the  most  powerful  and  enjoyable  book  that  Mr.  Kider  Haggard  has 
written,  with  the  single  exception  of  '  Jess.'  " — Academy. 

"  Mr.  Haggard  has  rarely  done  anything  better  than  this  romantic  and  interesting  narra- 
tive. Throughout  the  story  we  aie  hurried  from  one  thrilling  experience  to  another,  and  the 
whole  book  is  written  at  a  level  of  sustained  passion,  which  gives  it  a  very  absorbing  hold  on 
our  imagination.     A  special  word  of  praise  ought  to  be  given  to  the  excellent  illustrations." 

,,  -,    .  .     .  -    ,,    ,  ,     ,  — Daily  Teleghaph. 

Perhaps  the  best  or  all  the  author's  stones. 

The  ^reat  distiiiguisliing  quality  of  Kider  Haggard  is  this  magic  power  of  seizing  and 
holding  his  readers  so  that  they  become  absorbed  and  abstracted  from  all  earthly  things  while 
tncu' eyes  devour  the  page.  ...  A  romance  must  have 'grip.'  ,  .  .  This  romance 
possesses  the  quality  of  '  grip'  in  an  eminent  degree.'' — Walter  Besant  iu  the  AuthoB. 

"The  story  is  both  graphic  and  exciting,  .  .  .  and  tells  of  the  invasion  of  Cortes; 
but  there  are  antecedent  passages  in  Kngland  and  Spain,  for  the  hero  is  an  Knglish  adven- 
turer who  finds  his  way  through  Spain  to  Mexico  on  a  vengeful  quest  The  vengeance  is  cer- 
tainly satisfactory,  but  it  is  not  reached  until  the  hero  has  had  as  surprising  a  series  of  perils 
■nd  escapes  as  even  the  fcr'jle  imagination  of  the  author  ever  devised." — DlAt,  ChicaCO. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  00.,  91-93  rilTE  AVE.,  NEW  TOIcE:. 


JOAN    HASTE 

A  NOVEL. 

By  H.  rider  haggard, 

AUTHOR  OF  "SHE,"  "  HEART  Ol' THli  WORLD,"  "  THE  PliOPLEOFTHE  MIST,"  ETC.,  Era 


With  20  full-page    Illustrations  by  F.  S.  Wilson. 
12mo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,   $1.25. 


"  It  is  less  adventurous  in  theme,  the  tone  is  more  quiet,  and  the  manner  more 
In  keeping  with  the  so-called  realistic  order  of  fiction  than  anything  Mr.  Haggard  has 
heretofore  published.  'Joan  Haste  '  is  by  far  the  most  earnest,  and  in  many  ways  the 
most  impressive  work  of  Mr.  Haggard's  that  has  yet  been  prmted.  The  insight  nito 
cliaracter  which  it  displays  is  almost  invariably  keen  and  true.  Every  personality  in 
the  story  is  fully  alive,  and  individual  trails  of  thought  and  action  are  revealed  little 
by  little  a's  the  narrative  progresses,  until  they  stand  forth  as  definite  and  consistent 
creations."— The  Boston  Beacon. 

"All  the  strong  and  striking  peculiarities  that  have  made  Mr.  Haggard's  earlier 
works  so  deservedly  popular  are  repealed  here  in  a  new  spirit.  Not  only  that,  but 
his  literary  execution  shows  an  enlarged  skill  and  betrays  the  master-hand  of  self- 
restraint  that  indicate  maturity  of  power.-  His  conception  of  character  is  improved  by 
the  elimination  of  all  crudeness  and  haste,  and  his  delineations  are  consequently  closer 
to  life.  One  is  reminded  strongly  of  Dickens  in  his  admirable  drawing  of  minor  char- 
acters. Mrs.  Bird  is  such  a  character.  .  .  .  The  illustrations  of  the  book  are  nu- 
merous and  strikin>,'Iv  good.  Many  of  the  scenes  are  intensely  dramatic,  and  move  the 
feelings  to  the  higher'pitch.  .  .  .  Even  in  the  little  concerns  of  the  story  the  weallh 
of  its  imagination  appears,  glowing  in  the  warmth  of  its  unstinted  creations.  There  is 
a  splendor  in  his  description,  a  weird  spirit  in  his  imagery,  a  marvelous  variety  of 
detail,  and  at  all  points  a  creative  force  that  give  a  perpetual  freshness  and  newness  to 
the  fiction  to  which  he  gives  his  powers.  To  take  up  one  of  his  fascinating  books  is 
to  finish  it,  and  this  story  of  '  Joan  Haste '  is  not  to  be  outdone  by  the  best  of  them  all. 
The  strength,  emphasis,  and  vigor  of  his  style  as  well  as  of  his  treatment  is  to  be 
credited  to  none  but  superior  gifts  and  powers.  .  .  .  'Joan  Haste'  will  become 
the  favorite  of  everybody."  —Boston  Courier. 

_"  Mr.  Haggard's  new  story  is  a  sound  and  pleasing  example  of  modern  English 
fiction  ...  a  book  worth  reading.  ...  Its  personages  are  many  and  well 
contrasted,  and  all  reasonably  human  and  interesting." — New  York  Times. 

"  In  this  pretty,  pathetic  story  Mr.  Haggard  has  lost  none  of  his  true  art.  .  .  . 
In  every  respect  "Joan  Haste'  contains  masterly  literary  work  of  which  Mr.  Haggard 
has  been  deemed  incapable  by  some  of  his  former  critics.  Certainly  no  one  will  call 
his  latest  book  weak  or  uninteresting,  while  thousands  who  enjoy  a  well-told  storv'  of 
tragic,  but  true  love,  will  pronounce  'Joan  Haste '  a  better  piece  of  work  than  Mr. 
Haggard's  stories  of  adventure." — Boston  Advertiser. 

"  This  story  is  full  of  startling  incidents.    It  is  intensely  interesting." 

—Cleveland  Gazette.   ' 

"The  plot  thickens  with  the  growth  of  the  story,  which  is  one  of  uncommon  interest 
and  pathos.    The  book  has  the  advantage  of  the  original  illustrations." 

— Cleveland  World. 

"'Joan  Haste'  is  really  a  good  deal  more  than  the  ordinary  novel  of  English 
country  life.  It  is  the  best  thing  Haggard  has  done.  There  is  some  character  sketch- 
ing in  it  that  is  equal  to  anything  of  this  kind  we  have  had  recently." 

— Courier,  Lincoln,  Neb. 

"  In  this  unwonted  field  he  has  done  well.  'Jo^n  Haste  '  is  so  far  ahead  of  his  for- 
mer works  that  it  will  surprise  even  those  who  have  had  most  confidence  in  his  ability. 

To  those  who  read  Thomas  Hardy's  '  Tess  of  the  D'Urbervilles  '  the  atmosphere 
and  incidents  of  'Joan  Haste'  will  seem  familiar.  It  is  written  along  much  the  same 
lines,  and  in  this  particular  it  might  be  accused  of  a  lack  of  originality ;  but  Haggard 
has  come  dangerously  close  to  beating  Hardy  in  his  own  field.  Hardy's  coarseness  is 
missing,  but  Hardy's  power  is  excelled."— Munsev's  Magazine. 


LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &  00.,  91-93  rUTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YOKK. 


THE    PEOPLE    OF    THE    MIST. 

By  H.  rider  haggard, 

AITTHOK  OF  "  SHE,"  "  ALLAN  QUATBRMAIN,"  "  MONTBZUMA'S  DAV(i  tTBR,"  ETC.,  BTC 


With   16  full-page   Illustrations    by   Arthur  Layard.     Crown 
8vo,  cloth,  ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  Out  of  Africa,  as  all  men  know,  the  thing  that  is  new  is  ever  forthcoming.  The  o\f 
style  is  tnie  with  regard  to  Mr.  Haggard's  romances,  and  everybody  concerned  is  to  be  con 
gratulated  upon  the  romancer's  return  to  the  magical  country  where  lies  the  land  of  Kor. 
Africa  is  Mr.  Haggard's  heaven  of  invention.  Let  him  be  as  prodigal  as  he  may,  thence 
flows  an  exhaustless  stream  of  romance,  rich  in  wonders  new  and  astonishing.  '  The  People 
of  the  Mist '  belongs  to  the  sphere  of  '  She '  in  its  imaginative  scope,  and,  as  an  example  of 
the  story-teller's  art,  must  be  reckoned  of  the  excellent  company  of  '  King  Solomon's 
Mines '  and  its  brethren.  We  read  it  at  one  spell,  as  it  were,  hardly  resisting  that  effect  of 
fascination  which  invites  you,  at  the  critical  moments  of  the  story,  to  plunge  ahead  at  f 
venture  to  know  what  is  coming,  and  be  resolved  as  to  some  harrowing  doubt  of  dilemma. 
There  is  no  better  test  of  the  power  of  a  story  than  this.     .     .     ." — Sati;rday  Review. 

"  The  lawyer,  the  physician,  the  business  man,  the  teacher,  find  in  these  novels,  teem- 
ing with  life  and  incident,  precisely  the  medicine  to  rest  tired  brains  and  '  to  take  them  out  of 
themselves.'  There  is,  perhaps,  no  writer  of  this  present  time  whose  works  are  read  more 
generally  and  witi  keener  pleasure.  The  mincing  words,  the  tedious  conversations,  the 
prolonged  agony  of  didactic  discussion,  characteristic  of  the  ordinary  novel  of  the  time,  find 
no  place  in  the  crisp,  bright,  vigorous  pages  of  Mr.  Haggard's  books.  .  .  .  '  The  People 
of  the  Mist' is  what  we  expect  and  desire  from  the  pen  of  this  writer  ...  a  deeply 
interesting  novel,  a  fitting  companion  to  '  Allan  Quatermain.'  " — Public  Opinion. 

"  The  story  of  the  combat  between  the  dwarf  Otter  and  the  huge  '  snake^*  a  crocodile 
of  antediluvian  proportions,  and  the  following  account  of  the  escape  of  the  Outram  party, 
is  one  of  the  best  pieces  of  dramatic  fiction  which  Mr.  Haggard  has  ever  written." — Bos- 
ton Advertiser. 

"  One  of  his  most  ingenious  fabrications  of  marvellous  adventure,  and  so  skilfully  is  it 
done  that  the  reader  loses  sight  of  the  improbability  in  the  keen  interest  of  the  tale.  Two 
loving  and  beautiful  women  figure  in  the  narrative,  and  in  his  management  of  the  heroine 
and  her  rival  the  author  shows  his  originality  as  well  as  in  the  sensational  element  which  is 
his  peculiar  province." — Boston  Beacon. 

"'The  People  of  the  Mist'  is  the  best  novel  he  has  written  since  'She,'  and  it  runs 
that  famous  romance  very  close  indeed.  The  dwarf  Otler  is  fully  up  to  the  mark  of  Rider 
Haggard's  best  character,  and  his  fight  with  the  snake  god  is  as  powerful  as  anything  the 
author  has  written.  The  novel  abounds  in  striking  scenes  and  incidents,  and  the  read- 
er's interest  is  never  allowed  to  flag.  The  attack  on  the  slave  kraal  and  the  rescueof  Juauna 
are  in  Mr.  Haggard's  best  vein." — Charleston  News. 

"  It  has  all  the  dash  and  go  of  Haggard's  other  tales  of  adventure,  and  few  readers  will 
be  troubled  over  the  impossible  things  in  the  story  as  they  follow  the  exciting  exploits  of  the 
hero  .and  his  redoubtable  dwarf  Otter.  .  .  ,  Otter  is  a  character  worthy  to  be  classed 
with  Umslopogus,  the  great  Zulu  warrior.  Haggard  has  never  imagined  anything  more  ter- 
ror-inspiring than  the  adventures  of  Leonard  and  his  party  in  the  awful  palace  of  the  Chil- 
drf-n  of  Mist,  nor  has  he  ever  described  a  more  thrilling  combat  than  that  between  the  dwarJ 
and  the  huge  water  snake  in  the  sacred  pool." — San  Francisco  Chronicle. 

"  It  displays  all  of  this  popular  author's  imagery,  power  to  evoke  and  combine  miraculous 
incidents,  and  skill  in  analyzing  human  motives  and  emotions  in  the  most  striking  manner. 
He  is  not  surpassed  by  any  modem  writer  of  fiction  for  vividness  of  description  or  keenness 
of  perception  and  boldness  of  characterization.  The  reader  will  find  here  the  same  qualities 
in  full  measure  that  stamped  '  King  Solomon's  Mines,'  'Jess,'  '  She,'  and  his  other  earlier 
romances  with  their  singular  power.  The  narrative  is  a  series  of  scenes  and  pictures  ;  the 
events  are  strange  to  the  verge  of  ghoulishness  :  the  action  of  the  story  is  tireless,  and  the 
reader  is  held  as  with  a  grip  not  to  be  shaken  off." — Boston  Courier. 

"  Sometimes  we  are  reminded  of '  King  Solomon's  Mines  '  and  sometimes  of  She,'  but  the 
mixture  has  the  same  elements  of  interest,  dwells  in  the  same  strange  land  of  mystery  and 
adventure,  and  appeals  to  the  same  public  that  'uuys  and  reads  Mr.  Haggard's  works  for  the 
take  of  the  rapid  adventure,  the  strong  handling  of  improbable  incident,  and  the  fascination 
of  the  supernatural." — Baltimore  Sun. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  riETH  AVE.,  NEW  YOEK. 


THE    WIZARD. 

By  H.  rider  haggard. 

AUTHOR  OF   "she,"    "KING  SOLOMON'S  MINES,"   "  JOAN    HASTE,"  ETC.,  ETC. 

With   1  9  full-page  Illustrations  by  Charles  Kerr. 
Crown  8vo,  Cloth,  Ornamental,  $1.25. 

"I  owe  an  exciting,  delightful  evening  once  more  to  a  pen— say  a  voice— which 
has  held  me  a  willing  prisoner  in  a  grasp  of  iron.  It  is  now  ten  years  ago,  I  think, 
since  I  gave  Mr.  Rider  Haggard  my  opinion  that  for  the  rest  of  his  life  he  would  have 
'She'  always  with  him  to  be  compared  with  what  might  follow.  That  incomparable 
romance,  indeed,  has  never  been  surpassed  by  any  living  writer.  Rider  Haggard  is 
the  possessor  of  an  imagination  stronger,  more  vivid,  more  audacious  than  is  foutid  in 
any  other  writer  of  the  time.  I  say  this  in  order  to  introduce  his  latest  work,  '  The 
Wizard.'  It  is  only  a  short  tale— too  short — but  it  shows  imaginative  power  that  makes 
it  worthy  to  follow  after  '  She.'  "—Sir  Walter  Besant,  iu  "  The  Queen." 

"  The  scene  of  this  thrilling  story  is  laid  in  Africa,  but  in  many  respects  it  is  a  new 
departure  for  the  writer.  .  .  .  has  never  written  anything  more  pathetic  or  with 
greater  force  than  this  tale  of  a  missionary  venture  and  a  martyr's  death.  The  '  Pass- 
ing Over'  is  told  with  a  simple  beauty  of  language  which  recalls  the  last  passages  in 
the  life  of  the  martyred  Bishop  Hannington.  As  for  the  improbabilities,  well,  they  are 
cleverly  told,  and  we  are  not  afraid  to  say  that  we  rather  like  them  ;  but  Haggard  has 
never  achieved  a  conception  so  beautiful  as  that  of  Owen,  or  one  that  he  has  clothed 
with  so  great  a  semblance  of  life."— Pacific  Churchman,  San  Francisco. 

"  '  The  Wizard  '  is  one  of  his  most  vivid  and  brilliant  tales.  Miracles  are  no  new 
things  in  the  frame-work  used  by  the  writers  of  fiction,  but  no  one  has  attempted  just 
the  use  of  them  which  Haggard  makes  in  this  novel.  It  is  so  entirely  new,  so  abso- 
lutely in  line  with  the  expressed  beliefs  of  devout  folk  everywhere,  that  it  ought  to 
strike  a  responsive  chord  in  the  popular  heart  as  did  '  Ben  Hur,'  and  should  be  equally 
successful." — Brooklyn  Daily  Eagle. 

"  Mr.  Haggard  gives  full  play  in  the  history  of  the  conversion  of  the  Son  of  Fire 
to  his  strong  imagination,  ancl  he  has  succeeded  admirably  in  conveying  an  earnest 
religious  lesson,  while  telling  one  of  his  most  exciting  and  entertaining  stories." 

— Beacon,  Boston. 

"It  is  to  be  read  at  one  sitting,  without  resisting  that  fascination  which  draws  you 
on  from  one  to  another  critical  moment  of  the  story,  to  resolve  some  harrowing  doubt 
or  dilemma.  .  .  .  Hokosa,  the  wizard,  whose  art  proved  at  first  so  nearly  fatal  to 
the  messenger's  cause,  and  whose  devilish  plots  resulted  finally  in  conversion  and 
Christianity,  is  one  of  Mr.  Haggard's  best  creations.  The  portrait  has  a  vigor  and 
picturesQueness  comparable  to  that  of '  Allan  Quatermain.'  " 

—Picayune,  New  Orleans. 

'  It  has  all  the  spirit  and  movement  of  this  popular  author's  finest  work." 

—Evening  Bulletin.  Philadelphia. 

"  A  brilliant  story  truly,  and  here  and  there  alive  with  enthusiasm  and  fire.  Mr* 
Haggard  describes  savage  combats  with  rare  skill,  and,  somehow,  we  revel  with  hia' 
when  he  shows  us  legion  after  legion  of  untamed  children  of  nature  fighting  to  the  grim 
death  with  uncouth  weapons  yet  with  as  dauntless  a  courage  as  the  best  trained  soldiers 
of  Europe.  It  may  be  wrong  for  him  to  stir  up  our  savage  instincts,  but,  after  all,  i 
healthy  animalism  is  not  to  be  scoffed  at  in  any  breed  of  men."— New  York  Herald. 

"  Is  as  full  of  adventure  as  the  most  ardent  admirer  of  tales  of  courage  and  daring 
could  desire.     As  its  title  implies,  it  portravs  a  character  who  is  an  adept  in  witch- 
craft, cunning,  and  knowledge  of  human  nature.     There  is  a  distinct  religious  element 
throuehout  the  book  :  indeed,  but  for  its  religious  motive  there  would  be  no  story. 
**  — St.  Louis  Republican. 


LONGMANS,  GEEEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  FUTH  AVE.,  NEW  YORK 


THE    JEWEL   OF   YNYS    GALON: 

BEJNG   A    HITHERTO    UNPRINTED    CHAPTER    IN 
THE    HISTORY   OF   THE    SEA    ROVERS. 

By  OWEN    RHOSCOMYL. 


With  1  2  Illustrations  by  Lancelot  Speed, 
Crown  8vo,  Cloth,  Ornamenta!,  $1.25. 


"  The  tale  is  exceptionally  well  told  ;  the  descriptive  passages  are  strong  and  viv« 
id  \v>thout  being  over-elaborated  ;  and  the  recital  of  fights  and  adventures  on  sea  and 
land  is  thrilling,  without  leading  to  any  excess  of  horrors.  The  characters  in  the  book 
are  not  all  viUians,  but  the  progress  of  the  narrative  is  lighted  up  by  the  ideals  and 
strivings  of  brave  and  honorable  men.  The  book  is  certainly  a  most  attractive  addi- 
tion to  fiction  of  adventure,  for  it  shows  a  fine  degree  of  imagination  on  the  part  of  the 
author.  A  glance  at  the  illustrations  by  Lancelot  Speed  will  alone  be  enough  to  incite 
a  reading  of  the  story  from  beginning  to  end."— The  Beacon,  Boston. 

"  It  is  a  work  of  genius — of  the  romantic-realistic  school.  The  story  is  one  of 
pirates  and  buried  treasure  in  an  island  off  the  coast  of  Wales,  and  so  well  is  it  done 
that  it  fascinates  the  reader,  puttmg  him  under  an  liypnotic  spell,  lasting  long  after  the 
book  has  been  laid  aside.  It  is  dedicated  to  'every  one  whose  blood  rouses  at  a  tale 
of  tall  fights  and  reckless  adventure,'  to  men  and  boys  alike,  yet  there  will  be  keener 
appreciation  by  the  boys  of  larger  growth,  whose  dreams  '  of  buried  treasure  and  of 
one  day  discovering  some  hoard  whereby  to  become  rich  beyond  imagination  '  have 
become  dim  and  blurred  in  the  'toil  and  struggle  for  subsistence.'  '  The  Jewel  of  Ynys 
Cdon'  is  one  of  the  great  books  of  1S95  and  will  live  long."— The  World,  New  York. 

"  It  is  a  splendid  story  of  the  sea,  of  battle  and  hidden  treasure.  This  picture  of 
the  times  of  the  sea  rovers  is  most  skillfully  drawn  in  transparent  and  simple  English, 
and  it  holds  from  cover  to  cover  the  absorbed  interest  of  the  reader." 

—Press,  Philadelphia. 

"  It  is  a  story  after  the  heart  of  both  man  and  boy.  There  are  no  dull  moments  in 
it,  and  we  fnid  ourselves  impatient  to  get  on,  so  anxious  are  we  to  see  what  the  next 
turn  in  the  events  is  to  brnig  forth  ;  and  when  we  come  to  the  end  we  exclaim  in 
sorrow,  "  Is  that  all?  "  and  begin  to  turn  back  the  leaves  and  re-read  some  of  the  most 
exciting  incidents. 

Owen  Rhoscomyl  has  just  the  talents  for  writing  books  of  this  kind,  and  they  are 
worth  a  dozen  of  some  of  the  books  of  to-day  where  life  flows  sluggishly  on  in  a  draw- 
ing-room.   When  the  author  writes  another  we  want  to  know  of  it." — Times,  Boston. 

"  The  style  of  this  thrilling  story  is  intensely  vivid  and  dramatic,  but  there  is 
nothing  in  it  of  the  cheap  sensational  order.  It  is  worthy  a  place  among  the  classics 
for  boys." — Advertiser,  Boston. 

"  The  present  school  of  romantic  adventure  has  produced  no  more  strikingly  im- 
aginative story  than  this  weird  tale  of  Welsh  pirates  ni  the  eighteenth  century.  .  _.  _  . 
A  most  enthralling  tale,  .  .  .  told  with  great  artistic  finish  and  with  intense  spirit. 
It  may  be  recommended  without  reserve  to  every  lover  of  this  class  of  fiction." 

—Times,  Philadelphia. 

"  It  is  one  of  the  best  things  of  its  kind  that  have  appeared  in  a  long  time.  .  .  . 
We  do  not  know  how  far  this  tale  may  be  taken  to  be  historical,  and,  to  be  frank, 
we  don't  care.  If  these  things  did  not  happen,  they  might  have  happened,  and  ought 
to  have  happened,  and  that  is  enough  for  us.  If  you  like  'Treasure  Island'  and 
'Kidnapped'  and  the  'White  Company'  and  '  Francis  Cludde'  and  '  Lorna  Doone,' 
get  'The  Jewel  of  Ynys  Galon  '  and  read  it.    You  will  not  be  disappointed." 

— Gazette,  Colorado  Springs,  Col. 

"Our  own  interest  in  the  book  led  us  to  read  it  at  a  sitting  that  went  far  into  the 
night.  The  old  Berserker  spirit  is  considerably  abroad  in  these  pages,  and  the  blood 
coursed  the  faster  as  stirring  mcident  followed  desperate  situation  and  daring  enter- 
prise."— Litkkarv  World,  London. 


LOUGMANS,  GEEEH,  &  00.,  91-93  riPTH  AVE.,  ITEW  YOEK. 


BATTLEMENT  AND  TOWER. 

A  ROMANCE. 

By  OWEN  RHOSCOMYI., 

AUTHOR    OF    "the    JIAVKL    OF    YNVS    GALON." 


With   Frontispiece    by    R.    Caton   VVoodvilie.      12mo,   Cloth, 

Ornamental,  $1.25. 


"  It  is  a  rare  tale  of  the  wars  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  hero,  Howel,  is  a  young 
Welsh  lord  whose  father  gives  him  his  hereditary  sword  and  shield,  and  sends  him  to 
ijattle  for  the  king.  His  adventures  in  love  and  war  are  intensely  fascinating,  and  the 
reader  puts  down  the  book  with  extreme  reluctance.  The  author  has  carefully  studied 
the  history  of  the  times,  and,  besides  being  a  thrilling  tale,  his  story  is  a  charming 
picture  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  day.    It  is  a  book  well  worth  reading." 

— Nkvv  Orleans  Picayune. 

"...  a  powerful  romance  by  Owen  Rhoscomyl  of  the  swashbuckling  days  in 
North  Wales,  when  the  Roundheads  warred  against  the  Cavaliers,  and  Charles  I.  of 
England  lost  his  head,  both  metaphorically  and  literally.  .  .  .  The  picturesque 
and  virile  style  of  the  author,  and  the  remarkable  power  he  displays  in  his  character 
drawing,  place  his  book  among  the  notable  pieces  of  fiction  of  the  year.  There  is 
plenty  of  hghting,  hard  riding,  love-making,  and  blood-letting  in  the  story,  but  the 
literary  touch  given  to  his  work  by  the  author  places  his  product  far  above  the  average 
of  the  many  tales  of  like  character  that  are  now  striving  to  satisfy  the  present  demand 
for  fiction  that  has  power  without  prurience." — World,  New  York. 

"  There  is  a  vein  of  very  pretty  romance  which  runs  through  the  more  stirring 
scenes  of  battle  and  of  siege.  The  novel  is  certainly  to  be  widely  read  by  those  who 
love  the  tale  of  a  well-fought  battle  and  of  gallant  youth  in  the  days  when  men  carved 
their  way  to  fame  and  fortune  with  a  sword." — Advertiser,  Boston. 

"...  a  rattling  story  of  adventure,  privation,  and  peril  in  the  wild  Welsh 
marches  during  the  English  civil  war.  ...  In  this  stirring  narrative  Mr.  Rhos- 
comyl has  packed  away  a  great  deal  of  entertainment  for  people  who  like  exciting 
fiction." — Commercial  Advertiser,  New  York. 

"  There  is  a  flavor  of  old  world  chivalry  in  his  tempestuous  wooing  of  winsome, 
imperious  Barbara,  a  charming  love  idyl.  .  .  .  The  hot  blood  of  the  Welshman 
leads  him  into  many  and  diverse  dangers,  yet  so  gallant  is  he,  so  quick  of  wit,  and 
with  hand  ever  on  sword  hilt,  that  oneaccompanies  him  with  unflaggingattention.  .  .  . 
The  scenes  of  the  story  are  historic,  and  the  author's  fertile  and  ingenious  imagination 
has  constructed  a  thrilling  tale  in  which  the  dramatic  situations  crowd  thick  and  fast 
upon  each  other."— Free  Press,  Detroit. 

"  Owen  Rhoscomyl,  who  wrote  an  excellent  tale  when  he  penned  '  The  Jewel  of 
Vnys  Galon,'  has  followed  it  with  another,  difl'erent  in  kind  but  its  equal  in 
degree.  .  .  .  Deals  with  an  entirely  different  phase  of  Welsh  legend  from  his 
former  story,  for  it  enters  the  domain  of  history.  ...  It  is  full  of  merit,  and  is 
entitled  to  pass  muster  as  one  of  the  successful  novels  of  the  season.  .  .  .  The  plot 
is  involved,  and  there  is  a  mystery  in  it  which  is  not  wrought  out  until  the  concluding 
chapters.  .  .  .  The  story  will  appeal  strongly  to  the  lover  of  romance  and  ad- 
venture."—Brooklyn  Eagle. 

"  He  calls  his  book  a  '  mosaic,'  and  if  such  it  be  its  stones  are  the  quaint  customs, 
strange  ways,  and  weird  legends  of  the  Welsh,  welded  by  strong  and  clear  diction  and 
colored  with  the  pigments  of  a  brilliant  fancy.  Gay  pleasures,  stern  war,  and  true  love 
are  powerfully  portrayeii,  rivalling  each  other  in  the  interest  of  the  reader.  And 
though  the  heroes  and  their  castles  have  I'^ng  been  buried  beneath  the  dust  of  time, 
this  writer  sends  an  electric  current  through  his  pages  making  every  actor  and  his  sur- 
roundings alive  again.  He  brings  each  successive  phase  of  adventure,  love,  or  battle, 
before  the  imagination,  clad  in  language  that  impresses  itself  upon  the  memory  and 
makes  the  book  fascinating."— Republican,  Denver. 

"  His  story  is  a  stirring  one,  full  of  events,  alive  with  action,  and  gilded  with  sen- 
timent of  romance." — Courier,  Boston. 


LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &  CO.,  91-93  EIFTH  AVE.,  NEW  TOEK 


FOR  THE  WHITE  ROSE  OF  ARNO 

A  Story  of  the  Jacobite  Rising  of  1  745 
By   OWEN    RHOSCOMYL 

AUTHOR  OF  "THE  JEWEL  OF  YNYS   GALON,"  "  BATTLEMENT  AND  TOWER," 

ETC. 


Crown  Svo,  cloth,  ornamental,  $1.25 


"  His  'Jewel  of  Ynys  Galon,'  was  a  splendid  story  of  piracy  on  the  Welsh  coast. 
His  '  Battlement  and  Tower  '  was  a  good  story  of  F'rince  Rupert's  day.  .  .  .  A  third 
romance,  'For  the  White  Rose  of  Arno,'  a  story  of  the  Jacobite  rising  of  1745,  is  pic- 
turesque and  exciting.  It  can  be  recommended  to  every  lover  of  a  fine  romantic  melo- 
drama."—Express,  Buffalo,  N.Y. 

"  There  are  plenty  of  stirring  events  in  the  story,  love,  treachery,  and  revenge 
fighting  at  cross-purposes.  One  of  tlie  most  graphic  descriptions  is  that  of  the  wed- 
ding of  the  hero  and  heroine.  Mr.  Rhoscomyl  has  a  picturesque  imagination,  and  he 
paiiits  vividly  with  bold,  true  strokes.  .  .  .  The  author  has  studied  the  period  of 
which  he  writes  with  great  care.  He  has  not  allowed  his  imagination  to  run  away 
with  historical  facts,  and  the  book  will  appeal  not  only  to  lovers  of  romance  and  adven- 
ture, but  to  students  of  English  history."— Gazette,  Colorado  Springs. 

"The  '  White  Rose  of  Arno  '  will  delight  all  lovers  of  a  good  romantic  novel." 

— Eagi-e,  Brooklyn,  N.Y. 

"  ...  in  this  tale  we  are  given  a  most  stirring  picture  of  the  time  of  Charles 
Edward,  the  Pretender,  and  his  devoted  supporters.  Nearly  all  of  the  incidents  take 
place  amid  the  hills  and  vales  of  beautiful  Wales,  and  the  contrast  between  scenery 
and  wild  human  passions  does  much  to  heighten  the  effect  of  the  story,  which  is  very 
well  told.  The  author  is  a  Welshman,  and  the  scenes  he  depicts  one  feels  still  burn 
within  his  soul ;    hence  his  narrative  is  in  the  highest  degree  animated  and  forceful." 

— Evening  Transcript,  Boston. 

"...  The  story  never  lags  for  a  moment,  nor  sags  from  its  pitch  of  high 
heroism  .  .  .  Some  of  the  scenes  rival  those  others,  well  known,  and,  indeed, 
famous  in  '  David  Balfour,'  and  '  Kidnapped.'  .  .  .  It  is  a  splendid  story.  .  .  . 
Prince  Charles  figures  more  as  a  shadow  in  the  background  than  a  leader,  but  he  im- 
presses himself  vividly  as  a  great  personal  inspiration." — Times-Herald,  Chicago. 

"Owen  Rhoscomyl  has  already  written  some  rare  stories  of  the  wars  of  the  Com- 
monwealth that  have  met  with  a  splendid  showing  of  practical  appreciation  by  a 
world-wide  circle  of  readers.  This  latest  novel  by  the  pleasing  Welsh  writer  is  one  of 
the  most  powerful  romances  that  have  emanated  from  his  pen,  and  will  doubtless  re- 
ceive as  graceful  a  welcome  to  fiction  literature  as  his  previous  efforts  have  done.  It 
is  a  stirring  story  of  Wales  when  tlie  Roundheads  were  warring  against  the  cavaliers, 
and  Charles  I  of  England  lost  his  head  and  his  coveted  throne.  The  story  is  brimful 
of  fighting,  ol  hard  travel  and  riding,  and  old-time  love  making,  and  the  flavor  of  ol<l 
world  chivalry  in  the  tenderer  portions  of  the  novel  is  charming  and  complete.  With 
the  pen  of  a  realist,  the  author  hurries  his  readers  back  to  live  over  the  dead,  old  wars, 
to  dwell  in  strange  Welsh  castles  that  long  ago  crumbled  into  dust,  and  to  view  the 
history  and  romances  of  those  early  days  as  something  tangible  with  our  own  exist- 
ences. The  style  is  always  active,  virile  and  picturesque,  and  there  is  not  a  dull  or 
tame  chapter  in  the  book." — Courier,  Boston. 

"  The  story  is  told  with  spirit,  and  holds  the  attention  without  effort.  The  actio* 
is  swift,  the  episodes  stirring,  the  character  drawing  admirable,  and  the  style  good. 
The  ultimate  defeat  of  the  Pretender,  and  the  final  denouement  are  tragic  in  their 
intensity,  and  powerfully  pictured."— Brooklyn  Times. 

"This  is  a  really  stirring  story,  full  of  wild  adventure,  yet  having  an  atmosphere 
of  historic  truthfulness,  and  conveying  incidentally  a  good  deal  of  information  that  is 
evidently  based  upon  fresh  study." — Times,  Philadelphia. 


LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &  00.,  91-93  FITTH  AVENUE,  NEW  TOEK. 


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